INTRAUTERINE FETAL DEATH WITH SUBSEQUENT QUILL EXFOLIATION AND DISSEMINATION IN A NORTH AMERICAN PORCUPINE (ERETHIZON DORSATUM)

An adult female, wild North American porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) presented with bilateral cataracts and naso-ocular discharge. A pregnancy was identified by radiography with a near-full-term fetus, which was delivered stillborn 4 wk later with hard, developed quills. At that time, a repeated examination and further imaging, including computed tomography, demonstrated a uterine mass that was identified as a choriocarcinoma following ovariohysterectomy. Additionally, numerous exfoliated quills were discovered throughout the abdomen, most of which were removed during the surgical procedure. Ultimately, development of peritonitis despite medical care led to the porcupine's death. Necropsy confirmed a wide migration of the quills with extensive serosal adhesions and granulomas affecting liver, lungs, urinary bladder, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract.