Dogs have been our loyal companions for thousands of years, providing us with laughter, comfort, and protection. They have also been utilized in various roles, from law enforcement and military work to therapy and service tasks. However, did you know that dogs can even sense when their human is about to have a stroke?
Canine Sense of Strokes
Dogs have the ability to detect various illnesses, including strokes. In fact, research by the American Heart Association (AHA) has shown that individuals living alone with a dog have a 27% higher chance of surviving a stroke compared to those living alone.
Signs of a Dog Sensing a Stroke
Not all dogs possess this unique ability, and even if they do, they may not always alert their pet parent or know how to react. Factors such as the dog’s breed, their bond with their owner, and the type of stroke can influence their ability to sense a stroke. Dogs with longer snouts, like hounds or shepherds, generally have a better sense of smell and are more likely to possess this skill.
Cardiac Service Dogs
Cardiac Service Dogs are specifically trained to exhibit signs when their human is having a stroke. They can provide warnings before a stroke occurs or alert other family members. These dogs are trained to show specific, consistent signs, and they may even lay down near their human to prevent injury if they fall. Cardiac Response Service Dogs, on the other hand, assist after a stroke has occurred and can be trained to call emergency services or fetch medication.
Non-Trained Dogs
Even if your dog is not trained, they may still try to alert you in their own way. This can manifest in behaviors such as nudging, laying out their paw, laying on the ground next to you, or barking at a family member.
History and Future
The ability of dogs to sense medical problems and save lives has been recognized for many years, but it has only been studied more extensively in recent history. Dogs have been found to detect diseases such as melanoma and bladder cancer through their sense of smell. While dogs may not be reliable enough for clinical diagnoses, scientists are excited about the potential of using dogs in medicine.
Science Behind Dogs Sensing Strokes
There are different theories regarding how dogs detect cardiac events in humans, whether through their sense of smell or hearing. Dogs have an extremely sensitive nose, capable of smelling up to 100,000 times better than humans. They also possess a special organ that helps them identify pheromones, which can change when a person is sick. Dogs may also use their keen hearing skills to detect changes in heart rate.
Training Your Dog
The ability to sense strokes is an innate ability in dogs, and they need to initiate the behavior themselves. Training centers can help encourage reliable warnings if your dog has the potential to be a certified Cardiac Service Dog. One training method involves using swabs soaked in saliva with normal and altered heart rates to train the dog to notify their owner with signals like barking or pawing.
Conclusion
While dogs may not be able to diagnose strokes in a clinical setting, their ability to sense when their human is about to have a stroke is a remarkable skill. With proper training and attention, dogs can play a crucial role in alerting their owners and potentially saving lives.
“Your furry friend’s powerful snout: A life-saving superpower in detecting strokes.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs have the ability to sense strokes and other medical conditions in humans. Studies have shown that dogs can detect changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by our bodies when we are sick, including during a stroke. This innate ability is more pronounced in breeds with longer snouts, like hounds or shepherds.
2️⃣ Some dogs can be trained as Cardiac Service Dogs to alert their owners or family members before a stroke occurs or to provide assistance after a stroke. These dogs are trained to exhibit specific signs, such as laying down near their owner to prevent falls or calling emergency services.
3️⃣ Even if your dog is not trained, they may still exhibit signs that they sense a stroke in a person. These signs can include alertness, barking, jumping up, nudging, laying out their paw, laying on the ground next to you, or barking at a family member. It’s important to pay attention to these behaviors as they could be an indication of a potential stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can all dogs sense when their pet parent is about to have a stroke?
– No, not all dogs have this ability. It depends on factors like the dog’s breed, their sense of smell, and their bond with their pet parent.
2. What are some signs that a dog may be sensing a stroke in a person?
– Some signs include alertness, barking, jumping up, nudging, laying out their paw, laying on the ground next to you, and barking at a family member.
3. How long has it been known that dogs can sense medical problems like strokes?
– Dogs have been known to detect medical problems since at least 1989 when a dog detected melanoma in a woman’s mole. It has been studied more extensively in recent years.
4. How do dogs sense strokes in people?
– Dogs have a strong sense of smell and can detect changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are emitted by sick humans. They may also use their hearing skills to detect changes in heart rate.
5. Can dogs be trained to sense strokes in people?
– Dogs with the potential to be trained as certified Cardiac Service Dogs can be trained to sense strokes. Techniques like the swab technique can be used to train dogs to recognize changes in a person’s saliva that occur before a stroke.
