Ectopic gestation concomitant with pyometra in a free- ranging orange-spined hairy dwarf porcupine (Sphiggurus villosus)

Abstract

Many reproductive diseases have been described in domestic rodents. However, there is not much information about them in wild rodents. The aim of this study is to describe the clinical signs, radiographic and necroscopic findings in an ectopic gestation concomitant with pyometra in a free-ranging orange-spined hairy dwarf porcupine (Sphiggurus villosus). The ectopic gestation is a serious obstetric complication in which the fetus develops outside of the uterus, while the pyometra is an acute or chronic inflammation that accumulates purulent secretion in the uterine lumen. Both present similar clinical signs and for the diagnosis of these diseases image exams are necessary and, in some cases, exploratory laparotomy.