Ask the Vet

24. Who Tamed the Cat? What Genetics Tell Us About Feline History with Dr. Leslie Lyons

The Animal Medical Center

In this episode, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus interviews Dr. Leslie Lyons, a feline geneticist and professor of comparative medicine at the Missouri University College of Veterinary Medicine. Tune in as they discuss:

  • What inspired Leslie to become interested in genetics
  • Leslie's feline companions
  • How Leslie pinpointed where cats first became pets
  • Where cats were first purposely bred
  • The genetic similarities between cats and people
  • Using cats as a biomedical model to better understand and treat hereditary diseases
  • Genes and cat coat patterns

Learn more about Dr. Lyons' research at the Feline Genetics and Comparative Medicine Laboratory.

Also on this month's show:

  • A moose sheds his antlers in Alaska
  • Animal news
  • Listener Q&A

Email AskTheVet@amcny.org to have your pet questions answered on next month’s Ask the Vet Listener Q&A!

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