Congenital penile urethral aplasia in a 4-day-old bull calf

A 4-day-old Holstein bull calf with considerable oedema of the belly (water belly) was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Shiraz University. The owner did not observe any urination since birth. Rupture of the urethra was suspected. Perineal urethrotomy was performed. Subsequently, catheterization of urethra revealed the obstruction near the external urethral orifice. Urethrotomy showed a three cm long rupture of urethra proximal to the penile orifice. Surgical exploration showed the penile urethral aplasia which confirmed by histopathological findings. Permanent perineal urethrostomy was the surgical treatment of choice. Fluid and antibiotic therapy were administrated postoperatively. Postoperative follow-up showed a healthy calf without any signs of water belly.