Medical management of a patent urachus in a southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) calf.

A female southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) calf presented with a patent urachus at 5 days of age. It was immobilized for examination and medical treatment was elected over surgical repair. Systemic antibiotics and topical treatment of the site by cleaning with chlorhexidine solution were followed by silver nitrate cautery. This animal required no further treatment and has reached 1 yr of age with no other medical problems. Although patent urachus is relatively common in domestic animals, especially horses, neither the problem nor its resolution are well documented in exotic animals and surgical intervention is more commonly performed.