A 5-year-old female fennec fox weighing 1 kg presented to the Veterinary Medical Center, Chungbuk National University with swelling of the mammary glands and hematuria. There were no significant complete blood count (CBC) or serum chemistry findings. The uterus obtained by ovariohysterectomy was filled with blood-clot-like material. The uterine fluid contained erythrocytes, a few leukocytes, and bilirubin crystals without bacteria. The progesterone concentration in the blood serum the day before ovariohysterectomy was 7.3 ng/ mL, which is higher than anestrus and lower than a true pregnant condition in a fennec fox. Despite the low blood progesterone concentration and absence of a fetus in the uterus, the histopathological zonary placental findings indicated that the fennec fox had been pregnant. This is the first case report of hematometra associated with fetal death in a captive fennec fox.

Vulpes zerda is a fox that inhabits the desert regions of North Africa and Asia, whereas Vulpes pallida is a fox that inhabits the savannah zones of North Africa and the Sahara desert. Vulpes zerda, which is on the “Red List of Threatened Species” designated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), belongs to the “Appendix II” group drawn up by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and hence its cross-border trade is prohibited. In contrast, Vulpes pallida is classified as being of “Least concern” (LC) by IUCN. However, distinguishing between Vulpes pallida and Vulpes zerda by shape alone is difficult. This study attempted to differentiate between the two species by examining the chromosomes of Vulpe szerda and Vulpes pallida that were raised in Korea. According to the examination, two of eight foxes believed to be Vulpes zerda were Vulpes pallida and one of six foxes believed to be Vulpes pallida was actually Vulpes zerda. Considering the ambiguity of making a formal distinction between Vulpes zerda and Vulpes pallida, a more scientific approach to differentiation will be required.