Understanding genetics: why should vets care?

The genomes of hundreds of dogs have been sequenced, and the genomes of pedigreed and non-pedigreed cats are in the pipeline via the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Initiative. 1 Most veterinary colleges teach genetics in their core curriculum. But why should a feline practitioner care about genetics? We now live in age where everything " is in our DNA " , whether you're a Sony high definition TV or a Jaguar automobile. A growing proportion of the general public understands that our good genetic make-up can be squandered by poor lifestyle and bad habits, but also, some people who have smoked a pack of unfiltered Lucky Strikes every day can live to the age of 84. Genetic testing can help us humans anticipate our health risk factors. It can do the same for cats. We can already anticipate specific health concerns in feline patients using genetic testing for some diseases. DNA is the basis of life and the foundation of organismal biology. If you accept comparative anatomy, you must accept comparative genetics as a majority of genes are the same in all mammals. Gene timing and regulation may vary among species, but only a few hundred genes out of 20,000 or so are specific to a cat. Some defects, like polycystic kidney disease, are obvious problems whose genetic basis can be readily appreciated by cat owners and veterinarians alike. But there are other diseases, such as feline infectious peritonitis, lymphoma, asthma, diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease, where the importance of genetic predisposition is less intuitive. But you can bet your bottom dollar that genetics underpins susceptibility to almost all diseases, including predispositions to infectious diseases. Novel genetic mutations are the cause of many sporadic, idiopathic conditions, including the maladies that affect the majority of the cat population, the non-the Lill develop significantly as the standard-of-care for feline patients continues to improve and cats will continue to grow in popularity. In the coming years, veterinarians will be performing whole genome screens of some kind as a routine component of a diagnostic investigation. Whether for tumors or other diseases, the DNA results will be what routinely directs future therapies. Via the internet, anybody can just " Google it " and question authority as if they are an expert in the field – the know-it-all client! And, we all know the internet was made for cats, they are the internet stars! Indeed, …