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A puppy was evaluated for rapid growth and large stature. Extensive diagnostic evaluation suggested a growth hormone independent disorder. As the sole detected abnormality was elevated leptin concentration, an obesity syndrome causing leptin resistance was speculated to explain the puppy's condition but was not confirmed. Except for large body size, the puppy remained clinically normal.

Haemoglobinuria and periumbilical discoloration (also known as Cullen's sign) are clinical signs uncommonly reported in veterinary patients. This report describes a case of retroperitoneal haemorrhage in a dog, associated with haemoglobinuria and Cullen's sign. To the authors' knowledge, these clinical signs have not previously been reported singularly or in combination with retroperitoneal haemorrhage in dogs. A neutered male Shetland sheepdog, which was presented for haematuria, also had an abdominal mass, abdominal pain and a large area of periumbilical discoloration. Laboratory studies determined that haemoglobinuria was the cause of the red-coloured urine. Abdominal radiographs suggested a splenic mass and a coeliotomy was performed. During the induction and throughout the anaesthetic period the dog was hypertensive and a large haematoma originating from the right retroperitoneal space was identified at surgery. The cause of the haemorrhage was uncertain but a ruptured phaeochromocytoma was thought possible on the basis of the persistent hypertension and the location of the haemorrhage.

Case records of 36 dogs with confirmed leptospirosis diagnosed at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine from 1980 to 1995 were reviewed retrospectively, and clinical, serological and pathological findings were recorded to characterise the epidemiology of this disease in upstate New York. Titres were directed predominantly against serovars grippotyphosa and/or pomona in 31 of 34 dogs. Convalescent titres were measured for 53 per cent of dogs. The most common clinical presentation was acute renal failure. Increased liver enzyme activity was documented in 22 of 36 dogs. It is clear from this study that Leptospira pomona and grippotyphosa are important pathogens capable of causing severe renal and hepatic injury in dogs.