Pyometra in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) caused by a Staphylococcus pseudintermedius infection

A female adult red fox was found dead in the Flemish countryside (Belgium). At necropsy, a pronounced global distention of the uterus was noted with a prominent dilation of the upper end of the right horn and two dilations of the external wall (myometrium) of the left horn. The uterine lumen was filled with a green to yellowish pasty material. A pure culture of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius was isolated. The diagnosis of pyometra caused by S. pseudintermedius was made. Pyometra in wild canids has been rarely reported. The cause of death is suggested to be similar to the cause described in dogs, namely septic shock. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first case report of closed pyometra with isolation of S. pseudintermedius in a red fox.