Since their development in the 1960s, Göttingen minipigs have become a popular nonrodent animal model in biomedical research, especially for ocular studies, because of their ease of handling, size, well-monitored genetics, and ocular anatomy that is similar to humans. The purpose of this mini-review is to introduce the reader to the various ways in which this animal model is currently being utilized in ocular research and to provide an overview of the diagnostic modalities that aid in this research. To date, the Göttingen minipig has been used for a variety of ocular research endeavors, including studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ocular therapeutics, glaucoma etiopathogenesis and treatment, novel biomaterials, surgical procedures, and implantable materials/devices. In addition to histopathologic evaluation of enucleated globes, the majority of these studies make use of advanced in vivo diagnostic techniques, including electroretinography, optical coherence tomography, fundoscopic imaging, and fluorescein angiography.

A Staffordshire terrier presented for evaluation of a chronic, nonproductive cough that was unresponsive to antibiotic therapy. A large mass identified in the pulmonary hilum was most consistent with tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy on radiographic and computed tomography (CT) images. Bronchoscopy confirmed a mass compressing the dorsal portion of the intrathoracic trachea. Bronchoscopic biopsies of the tracheal mass revealed necrosuppurative and eosinophilic inflammation with intralesional Pythium insidiousum hyphae. Pythiosis should be included as a differential diagnosis for tracheobronchial lymphadenopathy and bronchopneumopathy in dogs, especially when the patient is from or has visited a region endemic for Pythium insidiosum.

Key Clinical MessageA case of a basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the nictitating membrane (NM) in a 9‐year‐old female spayed dachshund is reported. Computed tomography and resection of the NM followed by cryosurgery was performed. Although uncommon, BCC should be considered as a differential diagnosis for tumors of the NM.

An 8-year-old neutered male Toy Poodle was presented with chronic, progressive tetraparesis, and possible seizures. Magnetic resonance images demonstrated an extensive, T1 and T2 hyperintense contrast enhancing mass in the cervical spinal cord. Three nodules were present on the surface of the thalamus, with enhancement most evident on delayed images. A diagnosis of high-grade oligodendroglioma was confirmed with postmortem histopathology and immunohistochemical labeling. Oligodendroglioma should be considered as a differential for T1 hyperintense intraaxial or intramedullary lesions with contrast enhancement. If enhancement is not visualized on postcontrast images, delayed images may be beneficial.

Summary A 3‐month‐old Quarter Horse filly presented with corneal ulceration in the right eye with extensive coalescing periocular ulcerations, erosions, and cutaneous crusts. Similar periocular lesions were present around the left eye, on the gingival mucosa, and on the cutaneous and mucosal surfaces of the lips. Based on the severity of the filly's corneal lesions, expense and duration of treatment, euthanasia was elected. Histological post mortem examination revealed numerous hyperplastic and/or dysplastic epithelial cells adjacent to areas of ulceration and erosion with intranuclear viral inclusion bodies. Equine herpesvirus‐3 (EHV‐3) was identified by polymerase chain reaction from the right cornea and lip. The virus was isolated from the right cornea, right eyelid and lip. The dam presented with multifocal to coalescing perineal vesicles. EHV‐3 was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction from the vulvar lesions and the mare recovered spontaneously. This is the first case of EHV‐3 corneal infection reported in horses and emphasises that EHV‐3 should be included as a differential diagnosis for vesicular lesions involving the equine periocular and oronasal epithelium.