Equis ISSN 2398-2977

Urachus: patent

Synonym(s): Urachal fistula

Contributor(s): Jonathan Pycock, Wendy E Vaala

Introduction

• Cause: congenital and acquired forms of failure of the urachus to occlude at the umbilicus.
• Acquired types may be associated with systemic debilitation and/or umbilical infection.
• Signs: Presents within first 2 weeks of life with moist umbilicus and leakage of urine from the patent urachus.
• In acquired forms may be severe systemic signs in compromised neonatal foal.
• Diagnosis: history, signs.
• Treatment: is usually medical with antibiotic therapy, local umbilical cleaning/skin protection, possibly cautery, primary problem care and surgical resection of the umbilical remnants with persistent cases.
• Prognosis: guarded in systemically ill foals.

Pathogenesis

Diagnosis

Treatment

Prevention

Outcomes