Dogs Trained to Sniff Out Low Blood Sugar
We already knew our furry friends could smell a cold cut from the other end of the house, but now it appears some dogs can also use their sense of smell to detect low blood sugar in people. Dogs in Britain are being trained to detect small but noticeable changes that occur when blood sugar is low. When the dogs sense these changes they alert their master that a hypoglycemic episode is imminent.
Even without the training, it appears many dogs instinctively react to the physical changes that occur during low blood sugar reactions. A survey conducted at the Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland found that 65% of 212 people with type 1 diabetes reported that their dogs reacted by whining, barking, licking or some other display when they were amid a hypoglycemic episode.
I’d be interested to hear is any of you have had a similar experience or know of someone who has. Post your comments below.
I had a border collie that woke me up every single time my glucose dropped below 65. It happened too many times to be coincidence.. She was very aware and I don’t know if we put off a different smell or what but it saved me many nights….This was 4 years ago. When I moved to Costa Rica my dog stayed with my best friend… she has not seen any other odd behaviors in her… Mercy is 12 years old now..
I loved to have one! Finally, an excuse to bring a dog to work with me.
I HAVE A 5 YR OLD GRAND SON IN MS.WHO IS TYPE 1.ANY ONE HAVE ANY IMFO ON WHERE TO GET SUCH A DOG?
I had a cat who lived to be 21 that knew when my blood sugar was getting low and would alert me. The one time he alerted me too late and I was already unconscious, he woke up my husband. I’ll be getting a service dog soon to help me with this issue, and I can’t wait.
I have a tiny little Maltipoo (Maltese poodle cross). We have had her since the day she was born. (We bred the mom who is a Maltese)
Anyways, she is my 14 year old daughter’s dog and has been all along.
On numerous occasions she has woken my daughter (Sam) up by licking her face in the middle of the night when she has been low.
At first we thought it was odd but soon realized that she really seemed to be able to sense that my Sam was low.
One night Sam was up late watching movies with a friend and went really low (1.8 mmol) and didn’t realize it. Lexie actually barked and woke up her friend then kept barking until they both realized what was happening.
I am amzed at how this little 4 pound dog has such a keen sense. We never trained her, I guess she just knows Sam very well because they are always together.
I just have to say, it happened again.
Last night my daughter (Sam) called for me AFTER her little dog (Lexie) woke her up to another low of 1.8 mmol.
I thank God everyday for our little Lexie.
She is very amazing.
Now we are acually considering breeding her to carry the line and have them trained for others to benefit from these gifts.
Interesting. My husband is type 2 and rarely has sugar lows, but lately he has been waking up low. Each time our cat would meow and nip him until he woke up. Other mornings she leaves him alone.