BARKBUSTERS!
Our “BarkBusters” series tackles popular myths about our pets and puts them to the test. With science-based research, expert insights, and a fun approach, we uncover the truth.
Will this myth be BarkBusted, BarkBacked, or leave us BarkBaffled?
Let’s find out!
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Is it possible that your dog knows more about your health than you do? There are incredible reports of dogs detecting diseases, from cancer to diabetes long before any symptoms appear—but is this ability backed by science? Let’s dive nose-first into the fascinating world of canine disease detection and find out!
The Incredible Power of a Dog’s Nose
Dogs’ noses are truly amazing! With up to 300 million scent receptors (compared to just 5 million in humans) and a smell-processing area of the brain that’s proportionally 40 times larger, it makes their noses up to 100,000 times more sensitive. Dog noses have a unique design that allows them to inhale and exhale simultaneously for continuous sniffing. Dogs also have an additional organ called Jacobson’s organ, which senses pheromones and chemical signals that are invisible to humans. Scent truly shapes how dogs experience the world.
FURRY FACT!
Dogs can detect substances as tiny as one part per trillion—that’s like spotting a single drop of liquid in 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
With noses this powerful, you can see why dogs are used to sniff out drugs, explosives, and even missing people. But could they take this ability one step further? Can their powerful noses detect something as subtle as human diseases? Let’s find out!
Can Canines Really Detect Disease?
Jedi is a specially trained diabetic alert dog that has saved 7-year-old Luke Nuttall’s life several times by detecting dangerous drops in his blood sugar—often before his glucose monitor even sounds an alarm. One night, Jedi woke Luke’s mother, Dorrie, alerting her to a potentially life-threatening low. Thanks to Jedi’s quick response, the family acted quickly and prevented a serious emergency.
FURRY FACT!
Some dogs can detect blood sugar changes 20 minutes before a glucose monitor does!
What Diseases Can Dogs Detect?
Studies have proven that dogs can detect various diseases by sniffing out the unique scents that cells release:
Cancer: Research shows that dogs can detect cancers such as lung, breast, ovarian, prostate, and melanoma. One study demonstrated that a dog could accurately detect breast cancer in urine samples from 200 people, identifying all 40 cases with 100% accuracy.
Diabetes: Dogs can detect changes in blood sugar levels by sensing chemical compounds like isoprene, which rise when blood sugar drops. Diabetic alert dogs are specially trained to alert their owners before glucose monitors do, helping prevent dangerous lows.
Parkinson’s Disease: Dogs have shown the ability to detect Parkinson’s disease in patients by identifying chemical changes before symptoms appear. Some studies report a detection accuracy of up to 91%.
Bacterial Infections: Trained dogs can detect bacterial infections such as Clostridium difficile (C. diff) by identifying specific odors associated with the infection, helping to reduce outbreaks in hospital settings.
Malaria: Dogs have been trained to detect malaria through the scent of clothing worn by infected individuals. In one study, they correctly identified 70% of children with malaria and 90% of those without the disease.
COVID-19: Dogs have also been trained to detect COVID-19 through sweat samples, with studies showing they can detect infections faster and more accurately than PCR tests, including asymptomatic cases.
Expert Insights
Dr. Claire Guest, co-founder of Medical Detection Dogs in the UK, initially had doubts about the idea that dogs could detect cancer—until her Labrador, Daisy, proved otherwise.
“Daisy kept pawing at my chest one day, which alarmed me,” Dr. Guest recalls. “I got it checked out, and I was told I had early-stage breast cancer.”
This personal experience inspired Dr. Guest to dedicate her career to studying dogs’ remarkable abilities to detect diseases. In 2008, she co-founded Medical Detection Dogs. This charity trains dogs to identify human diseases early, offering a less invasive diagnostic method.
How Are Dogs Trained to Detect Disease?
Training a dog to sniff out cancer is a step-by-step process that taps into their incredible sense of smell:
- Sample Collection: Breath, urine, or tissue samples are collected from healthy individuals and cancer patients.
- Training Sessions: The dogs are presented with these samples and taught to identify cancerous samples by using positive reinforcement like treats, toys, or praise.
- Increasing Difficulty: As the dog improves, the samples become more challenging to help refine their skills.
What Does the Future Hold?
Institutions worldwide are conducting studies to harness dogs’ detection abilities:
- University of Pennsylvania’s Penn Vet Working Dog Center trains dogs to detect ovarian cancer using blood and tissue samples.
- BioScentDX in the U.S. trains dogs to detect cancer through breath samples, aiming to develop non-invasive screening methods.
- Medical Detection Dogs continues to explore how dogs can be integrated into cancer diagnostics and other medical fields.
Practical Insights for Dog Owners
The deep bond between dogs and their owners may enhance their sensitivity. Dogs are highly attuned to our emotions and physical states. So, it’s not a bad idea to pay attention if you notice your dog trying to tell you something:
- Pay Attention: If your dog persistently sniffs or nudges a particular area of your body, consider getting it checked by a medical professional.
- Behavior Changes: Dogs might become clingy, anxious, or act out of character if they sense something is wrong.
- Training Matters: While some dogs naturally pick up on health changes, others can be trained to assist individuals with specific medical conditions.
Science is just beginning to discover how dogs perceive the world around them—and even detect changes in our own health. With their super-powered noses and unconditional love, they continue to amaze us. So, the next time your dog gives you an extra sniff, they might be looking out for your health!
FINAL VERDICT:
BarkBacked!
Do you have a story about your dog detecting a health issue? Share your experiences in the comments below!
