Thread by @KatherineJWu

This week, I wrote a piece about the importance of studying the cat genome.

I think there are some important implications for human health. But I am also hopeful that this will mean big advancements for veterinary medicine. 1/

theatlantic.com/science/archiv…

The day this piece published, one of my own cats, Calvin, was diagnosed with a serious condition, likely with genetic roots, that impacts his heart function. There is no cure. We don't yet know his prognosis. I am absolutely heartbroken. 2/

We adopted Calvin and his brother, Hobbes, almost 5 years ago, to the day. Since then, they have both brought immeasurable light into my life, and have been my biggest source of comfort during the pandemic. 3/

The day we brought Calvin home, he was scared and confused and spent the entire afternoon hiding under the bed. 4/

But by the next evening, he was crawling into bed with us and curling up on my left shoulder to sleep. The vet said it was kitten behavior, he'd grow out of it. Five years later, he's a lot bigger, and my shoulder's a bit too small. But it's still his favorite spot to be. 5/

Yesterday, I rushed him to the hospital because his breathing had turned fast and shallow. Even when he was feeling at his worst, he pressed his little face to mine when I leaned next to the carrier. I wanted to give him all the comfort I could. 6/

He had to be admitted for assessment. I waited in the parking lot; I couldn't be with him or his vets because of the pandemic.

Last night was the first night I've ever had to spend in the apartment without him, while he was cared for in the ICU. 7/

Calvin is coming home today, and we'll be medicating him and caring for him from now on. I can't help but wonder where we'd be if he'd had the opportunity to be screened for this earlier, with more knowledge of feline genomics to guide us. 8/

theatlantic.com/science/archiv…

My hope is that a better understanding of cat genetics and physiology will help other owners catch these conditions early, or at least better understand why they occur. It's a niche pursuit. But if it saves the lives of just a few animals, then it seems worth it to me. 9/9