[Urachal disorders in calves: clinical and sonographic findings, therapy and prognosis]

Clinical findings, therapy, and prognosis of 20 calves with urachal problems were studied and are discussed. Ultrasonography proved to be a valuable adjunct diagnostic procedure to manual palpation. It allowed exact evaluation of the intraabdominal umbilical cord size and was an important aid in the selection of the correct therapy. A complete omphalourachectomy was performed in calves with an extra- and intraabdominal umbilical cord diameter of up to 10 cm, otherwise drainage was established. Based on our results prognosis for calves with urachitis is independent of the size of the umbilicus and can be judged as favourable in cases without systemic complications.