Welcome to our Peculiar Pet Facts series, where we investigate the oddities of our pets and explore the science behind them.
Dogs use their nose for a lot of things: communicating with each other, tracking down the treat jar and finding their way home. But did you know that some dogs can be trained to detect diseases or potential health issues in people? Here are some examples of how specially trained dogs can potentially save someone’s life or improve their quality of life.
Cancer-Detecting Canines
Most dogs have to undergo rigorous training to detect cancer, but the first published report was of a dog who detected cancer in his owner all by himself. A letter published in the respected medical journal Lancet in 1989 described how a dog constantly sniffed a mole on his owner’s leg and even tried to bite it. The owner eventually became concerned herself, and a visit to her doctor confirmed the mole was a malignant melanoma (skin cancer).
Scientists believe that cancer-sniffing dogs can detect volatile chemicals that are released by malignant (cancerous) cells. These dogs can’t tell the difference between cancer types, but they have been able to detect lung, prostate, colorectal, breast, bladder, ovarian and skin cancers. Their specialty sniffers can detect cancer in human blood, tissue, urine and even breath.
Diabetic Alert Dogs
Our body uses glucose as its main energy source, and if glucose levels are too low (hypoglycemia) or too high (hyperglycemia) it can mean a medical emergency for people with diabetes. Some people with diabetes have a tiny sensor under their skin which continuously monitors their glucose levels and alerts them to an issue. But not everyone has access to a monitor like this.
Another option is a Diabetic Alert Dog. These dogs are trained to detect a chemical change (odor) and perform an alert if their owner’s blood sugar level drops too low or goes too high. That way their owner can act before it becomes an emergency. A Diabetic Alert Dog can help people with diabetes lead a more independent lifestyle.
Gluten
Celiac disease is a genetic autoimmune disorder that causes an immune response in the small intestine when people with the disease eat gluten (the protein in barley, rye and wheat). The immune system of people with celiac disease can destroy the lining of the small intestine, preventing the absorption of nutrients, which can lead to weight loss.
Gluten-detecting dogs are trained to alert their owners if they are near a source of gluten. There are obvious sources of gluten (like bread, pizza and crackers), but gluten can also be in items like lip balm and toothpaste. Celiac service dogs can help their owners detect the not-so-obvious sources of gluten.
It’s expensive and time-consuming training, but these specially trained dogs just might save someone’s life. And that’s a great use for a peculiar sniffing skill!
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