Umbilical cord remnant infections in foals: 16 cases (1975-1985)

Infection of the umbilical cord remnants was diagnosed in 16 foals. The infection was found in the urachus alone in 3 foals, the umbilical arteries in 2 foals, the urachus and umbilical arteries in 3 foals, the urachus and umbilical vein in 2 foals, and the urachus, umbilical vein, and umbilical arteries in 2 foals. The specific location of the infection was not determined in 4 foals. Eleven foals developed an acquired patent urachus between 4 and 16 days of age. Seven foals had one or more joints infected. All foals with umbilical cord remnant infections were treated with orally, intramuscularly, or intravenously administered antibiotics and 9 foals had the umbilical cord remnants excised. Nine foals survived, 6 of which had had excision of the infected remnants. Only 2 foals with joint infections survived.