Spinal Epidural Empyema Associated with Bite Wounds in an Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix indica)

Spinal epidural empyema (SEE) is an uncommon but potentially severe cause of spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction in veterinary patients. Bite wounds involving the vertebral column may result in deep tissue contamination, paraspinal abscessation, and secondary epidural infection; however, such injuries are poorly described in wildlife species. We report a case of SEE associated with chronically infected bite wounds in an adult Indian crested porcupine (Hystrix indica) with paraplegia. Physical and neurological examinations revealed exudative paravertebral wounds, paraplegia with preserved nociception, and findings consistent with a thoracolumbar spinal cord lesion. Survey radiography and contrast myelography demonstrated an extradural compressive lesion at L1-L2. Surgical exploration revealed a purulent tract extending from the skin and paraspinal tissues into the vertebral canal, and a left L1-L2 hemilaminectomy was performed with drainage, debridement, lavage, and Penrose drain placement. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from the abscess, and antimicrobial therapy was adjusted based on susceptibility testing. Postoperative management included physiotherapy and environmental modifications to support ambulation. The porcupine regained ambulation within 4 days after surgery and was released back into the wild approximately 50 days postoperatively with normal gait and tail-rattling behaviour. This case highlights bite-wound-associated SEE as an important differential diagnosis in porcupines presenting with paraplegia and draining paraspinal wounds and suggests that surgical decompression combined with prolonged culture-guided antimicrobial therapy and environmental modifications may result in a favourable outcome.