Basepaws

A recent collaboration between MARS Petcare and the University of Helsinki revealed the genetics behind a unique feline coat pattern observed in some Finnish domestic cats. The pattern was dubbed “salmiak” or “salty licorice” and is reminiscent of a traditional tuxedo pattern with white coloration of the belly, neck, and feet. However, unlike typical tuxedo patterns, the darker backs of salmiak cats exhibit additional color gradation, where each individual hair has full coloration at its base and a white tip. Interestingly, cats with the salmiak coat pattern do not carry any of the already known genetic mutations associated with white coat color or white spotting. Instead, the researchers found that the striking coat pattern was linked to a large ~95 kb deletion in a genomic region downstream of the KIT proto-oncogene. The study’s results suggest that cats that carry two copies of this mutation are likely to exhibit this trait. Feline coat pattern genetics is extremely complicated because there is still a myriad of unknown genetic and epigenetic factors that can interact with each other and produce somewhat unexpected results. Consequently, coat pattern prediction based on our current knowledge of genetics can be challenging. This is why it is very exciting to see new discoveries being made in the field, bringing us one step closer to understanding why our cats look the way they do! Read more about this fascinating study from Newsweek : https://lnkd.in/eXmETUj4

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms and pet moms from our Basepaws team! Wishing you all a special day spent with family - our furry friends included.

In a recent survey, we found that the majority of pet parents want to make the best healthcare decisions for their pet, but have little information about their health history. In an effort to give pet parents more insight into their pet's genetic health risks, at-home DNA testing has become a crucial part of their pet care journey to a healthier future. Today, we celebrate the incredible advancements in cat and dog DNA testing that have given pet parents the power to make proactive future health decisions for their pet, and learn more about their pets, inside and out. As pet genetic research continues to evolve, our goal has always been to provide our pet parents with tools that help them proactively support their pet's health for longer, happier lives together. Happy #NationalDNADay!

Known for their exotic and uniquely spotted coats, the Bengal has often been associated with the "wild" look of big cats like the Asian leopard cat. Now, Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered that the Bengal cats’ patterns can be traced to domestic cat genes that were selected for after they were bred with wild cats. In fact, no parts of the wild Asian leopard cat genomes were found in all Bengal cats, which came as a surprise to many Bengal cat breeders. Rather, their appearance resulted from variations in genes already present in domestic cats. Just as Stanford researchers collaborated with citizen scientists in pursuit of discoveries related to the appearance of domestic cats, our team at Basepaws partners with pet parents and pet professionals on studies dedicated to our pets' genetic health with the goal of developing screening tools for earlier disease detection. We're inspired by the many scientists whose work has contributed valuable new insights into the cat genome, and grateful to the citizen scientists who help make these discoveries possible. Read more about the Bengal cat coat study at Stanford Medicine's News Center: https://stan.md/3VIqpWw

Founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, Dr. Ernie Ward, joined Steve Dale's Pet World to discuss one of the most prominent health concerns pets face: obesity. From the APOP's work in pet obesity prevention, awareness, and treatment to research supporting the impact of pet obesity on longevity, listen in to learn how Dr. Ward envisions a world where our pets live healthier lifestyles through focused efforts on reducing pet obesity: https://bit.ly/43EnHmY

We're celebrating International Women's Day with deep admiration for the remarkable women on our team who inspire innovation and drive progress. Today and every day, we uplift the remarkable women who champion excellence across every department of our company. We're proud to be led by our visionary female CEO and the women who make up much of our Leadership Team, inspiring the next generation to further women's advancements, especially in STEM and entrepreneurship. May we continue to uplift, empower, and celebrate our achievements this #InternationalWomensDay! #IWD2024 #WomenInLeadership

Greetings from Zoetis Headquarters! This week, our founder and CEO, Anna Skaya, is updating our team live from this month's Town Hall, celebrating a strong 2023 across teams that continue to meet the needs of animals to help them thrive. With our kits proudly on display, Basepaws looks forward to continuing the integration of our invaluable feline and canine data into the research and development of new, innovative products for companion animals under one shared mission to advance animal care with our Zoetis colleagues. #team

Our team had a great time at #VMX2024 last week, connecting with fellow colleagues and meeting both people and pets that are driving the pet care industry forward! We were incredibly inspired by the convergence of veterinarians and companies alike who share our mission for bringing proactive, personalized pet care to pet parents everywhere, and honored to share this experience with our Zoetis colleagues to kick off the new year.

We are thrilled to announce that Basepaws will be exhibiting within the Zoetis booth #902 at VMX from January 13th - January 17th, 2024! Stop by the Basepaws station to learn more how the journey to proactive patient care begins with genetics. Plus, don’t miss our education session on Using Genetic Insights to Guide a Lifetime of Care in VMX Learning Theater East with Dr. Ernie Ward - Monday, January 15th @ 1PM. See you in Orlando! #VMX2024 #veterinarymedicine #petgenetics Kristin Wuhrman Anna Skaya Richard Dyer Sherman Gore Rachel Hilburn Anya Ryan Tanya Cooper, MBA, Elite FFCP Matthew McGlasson, DVM, CVPM

From our health goals to physical traits, most pet parents agree that they share more with their pets than just a household. In our survey conducted with OnePoll, we asked cat and dog owners about similarities they share with their pets. In fact, many pet parents even share health and wellness resolutions for 2024 with their pets, with over two-thirds of pet parents aiming to exercise more and eat healthier in the New Year. With an increasing number of pet parents taking a more proactive approach to their pet's care, the desire to understand our pets and their health on a more personal level has never been more clear. Our founder and CEO, Anna Skaya, says, "This research further emphasizes the unbreakable bond between pets and their people. Humans are able to predict and prepare for certain health issues by understanding their DNA and the same goes for those with four legs.” As we dive deeper into the pet and pet parent relationship, find out what other traits, goals, and hobbies pets and their owners share in our featured survey: https://lnkd.in/e4cpJqnT