VET Interview
Hello,
This is Hyungmin Moon, a veterinarian at Pitter Petter.
What Inspired Your Interest in Pet Genetic Testing?
Before becoming a veterinarian, I majored in Life Sciences and conducted research during my graduate studies. I wanted to ensure that the knowledge and experience I gained weren’t wasted but instead applied effectively in clinical practice. It became a unique advantage for me as a veterinarian, and above all, I wanted to contribute to something meaningful that could benefit animals. While discussing our pets with a university junior who had also studied Life Sciences and was raising a cat, we began to explore the idea of combining Life Sciences with Veterinary Medicine. This led to the development of genetic testing, merging our expertise to create something impactful for both pets and their guardians.
What Makes Pitter Petter’s Genetic Testing Special?
While developing our genetic testing, we compared it with existing products and tests both domestically and internationally. Pitter Petter's genetic test stands out for several reasons: it can accurately detect all genetic variations associated with genetic diseases, as published in scientific papers, using PCR technology; it examines not just a single gene but the entire set of variations; and it is updated annually with new test items. In fact, our own pet dog, Gyeoul, was found to have no genetic variations in an overseas test, but Pitter Petter’s genetic test uncovered genetic variations that were missed by international tests. Our ability to detect previously unknown variations based on the most current information, and the fact that even veterinarians can discover health conditions in pets that they otherwise wouldn’t know without genetic testing, is a major strength of Pitter Petter.
Are Genetic Diseases in Pets Rare?
Among pet genetic diseases, there are indeed rare conditions that are rarely encountered in clinical practice (e.g., Alexander disease, hypokalemic periodic paralysis). However, there are also more common conditions (e.g., patellar luxation, gallbladder mucoceles, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). Many people think of genetic diseases as rare conditions involving visible congenital deformities. However, a genetic disease occurs when a specific genetic variation influences the development of the condition. This means that many of the diseases veterinarians encounter in practice are influenced by genetic factors. Since genetic variations exist before symptoms appear, it’s often challenging to identify these conditions in pets, as diagnosis typically happens only after symptoms bring the animal to the clinic. As such, some genetic diseases may be subtle or difficult to diagnose without targeted testing.
What is Important in Managing Pet Health?
Early detection of diseases and preventive care before symptoms arise are crucial. Pets cannot express their discomfort, and by the time guardians notice symptoms and visit the veterinarian, the disease is often already advanced. At this stage, complications may have developed, and the overall condition of the pet may have deteriorated, leading to slower treatment responses and poorer outcomes. As a veterinarian, one of the most heartbreaking situations is when a treatable condition becomes untreatable due to delayed diagnosis. While we cannot entirely prevent diseases or halt their progression, early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment and can extend the pet’s lifespan. People often assume that a veterinarian's pet won’t get sick, but even I ensure regular health check-ups for my pets once or twice a year. By detecting diseases early, I manage their conditions proactively. Pets have shorter lifespans, and time moves much faster for them compared to humans. This is why I believe that the most effective way to care for their health is not to delay but to take preventive measures and manage their health proactively, even before any symptoms appear.
