The Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Intracardiac Quill Foreign Body in a Dog

A dog was referred to Alta Vista Animal Hospital with a porcupine quill penetrating the right ventricle. The presenting complaint was tachypnea and dyspnea secondary to bilateral pneumothorax. Computed tomography revealed bilateral pneumothorax without evidence of quills. A median sternotomy was performed and the quill was removed. The dog recovered uneventfully. Quill injuries are common in dogs; however, intracardiac quill migration is rare. Dogs without evidence of severe cardiac injury secondary to intracardiac foreign bodies may have a good prognosis.