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

Ask the Vet

Jan 18 2023 • 50 mins

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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