1. Bovine and Equine Umbilical Ultrasound
G. Dykstra
March 24, 2010

2. Bovine Umbilicus 2 umbilical arteries Allantoic stalk (urachus)
2 umbilical veins
anastomose within the body wall

3. Equine Umbilicus 2 umbilical arteries Allantoic stalk (urachus)
1 umbilical vein

4. After Parturition

5. Fetal Structure Destiny
vein → round ligament of liver
arteries → round ligament of bladder
urachus → atrophies

6. If things go wrong…
Omphalitis
Omphalophlebitis
Omphaloarteritis
Omphalourachitis
Umbilical hernia
Patent urachus
Remember, even if the external umbilicus looks normal there is could still be an infection!

7. Preparation Standing +/- sedation Hair clip 7.5-MHz transducer
4 cm width
Xiphoid to prepuce/udder
Umbilicus to inguinal ring
7.5-MHz transducer
Calves are clipped more on the RIGHT side

8. Foal Anatomy

9. Umbilical Vein Calves Foals Travels more to RIGHT side cranially
May need left lateral recumbency
Largest diameter near stalk intraabdominally
Atrophies over time in calves
Foals
Scan on ventral midline
Little change for first month

10. Calf External Umbilicus
VU = Umbilical Vein
US = Umbilical Stalk

11. Calf Umbilical Vein at Liver
VU = Umbilical Vein
LI = Liver
VP = Portal Vein

12. Foal Anatomy

13. Umbilical Arteries & Urachus
Calves
Scanned adjacent to the bladder
Arteries end abruptly near apex of bladder
Urachus not visualized
Foals
Scanned near bladder
Arteries outline the urachus at bladder apex
Urachus not really well defined

14. Foal Anatomy

15. Foal Umbilical Arteries & Urachus

16. But what does it all mean?
Calf abnormality
Vein > 1.5 – 2.5 cm diameter
Artery > 1 cm diameter
Visualizing the urachus
Foal abnormality
Vein > 1 cm diameter
Artery > 1.3 cm diameter
Combined urachus and arteries >
2.5 cm diameter

17. Mean diameter (mm) of umbilical structures in clinically normal calves over time from birth
Location
24 hours
1 wk
2 wk
3 wk
Umbilical stalk
24.67 ± 3.57
20.22 ± 3.99
16.78 ± 3.83
14.44 ± 3.78
Vein within stalk
9.61 ± 4.41
2.61 ± 1.78
1.0 ± 1.52
n/a
Vein near stalk
17.67 ± 6.04
10.33 ± 5.05
7.89 ± 4.70
5.33 ± 4.56
Vein at midpoint
11.22 ± 3.60
7.56 ± 2.24
4.44 ± 3.40
1.22 ± 2.44
Vein near liver
10.44 ± 4.50
6.11 ± 3.86
2.78 ± 4.24
1.33 ± 2.83
Arteries
10.33 ± 1.80
8.94 ± 2.11
8.39 ± 1.92
6.82 ± 1.03
Watson E, Mahaffey MB et.al Am J Vet Res, 55(6);

18. Calf Umbilical Stalk

19. Calf Infected Umbilical Vein
Immediately Cranial to Umbilicus

20. Calf Infected Umbilical Vein
10 cm Cranial and Right of Umbilicus

21. Calf Umbilical Vein - Saggital

22. Calf Urachal Abscess