Treatment of patent urachus associated with a congenital imperforate urethra in a calf

Patent urachus is a common condition in calves which is frequently associated with omphalitis. A membranous urethral diaphragm prevented closure of the urachus in a female calf. The patent urachus was complicated by an ascending infection of the intraabdominal umbilical remnants. Following surgical removal of the urachus and umbilical vessels along with transection of the membranous diaphragm the calf experienced an uncomplicated recovery. This case stresses the importance of assuring urethral patency when managing a case of patent urachus.