Dogs are no doubt one of the most beloved animals in the world. They are often called man’s best friend. People keep them as pets, use them for security purposes and also as guides for disabled individuals.

However, the amazing ability of a dog’s nose to detect illnesses is a lesser-known fact. In this article, we will explore this ability in detail.

The Science Behind a Dog’s Nose

A dog’s sense of smell is far better than that of humans. In fact, it is said that their olfactory abilities are up to 100,000 times better than our own.

This is thanks to more than 220 million sensory receptor cells present in the mucus membrane of their noses. Humans, on the other hand, have only 5 million. Additionally, dogs have a specialized part of their brain that is dedicated solely to processing smells.

How Dogs Detect Illnesses

Dogs have been trained to detect various types of illnesses by using their sense of smell. This is called medical detection dogs. They use their noses to detect changes in a person’s odour, which are caused by chemical changes in the body.

Such changes occur when a person’s metabolism is out of balance, and they could be caused by diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

Diseases that Dogs Can Detect

Dogs have been trained to detect a variety of diseases, including:.

Cancer
Diabetes
Malaria
Alzheimer’s disease
Bacterial infections
Thyroid disorders
Mental disorders

Medical Detection Dogs

Medical detection dogs are specially trained dogs that can detect diseases in humans. These dogs are trained to sniff out specific odours that are associated with particular diseases.

They can be trained to detect early signs of diseases such as cancer, which can lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment. Medical detection dogs are also being trained to help people with diabetes by alerting them to changes in their blood sugar levels.

The Training of Medical Detection Dogs

Training medical detection dogs is a long and complex process. It takes up to 2 years to train a dog to detect diseases such as cancer. The dogs are taught to recognize the smells of the diseases they are trying to detect.

They are then trained to alert their owners when they detect the scent. The training process usually involves positive reinforcement methods such as using treats and praise.

Benefits of Using Medical Detection Dogs

The use of medical detection dogs has several benefits, including:.

Early disease detection – Medical detection dogs can detect diseases before symptoms appear, which can lead to early detection and treatment.
Less invasive testing – The use of medical detection dogs can reduce the need for invasive testing, such as biopsies and blood tests.
Lower costs – The use of medical detection dogs can reduce medical costs by identifying diseases early before they become more severe.
Greater accuracy – Medical detection dogs can detect diseases with greater accuracy than some medical tests.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the amazing ability of a dog’s nose to detect illnesses is truly remarkable. Medical detection dogs are being used more frequently to help diagnose diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

The use of medical detection dogs has several benefits, including early disease detection, less invasive testing, lower costs, and greater accuracy. With further research and development, the use of medical detection dogs could become an increasingly valuable tool in modern medicine.