Results indicated that not only can dogs detect Covid faster, but they can also do so in a non-intrusive manner – so no need to swab your throat or nose
Dogs can detect Covid-19 faster and more accurately than a PCR test, a new study shows.
Researchers looked at the ability of canines to recognise the virus and its variants, even when they are obscured by other viruses, like those from common colds and flu.
More than 400 scientists from over 30 countries contributed to the study as well as 147 scent dogs, according to the findings published in the Journal of Osteopathic Medicine.
After analysing many studies covering both field and clinical experiments, Professor Dickey and Junqueira found that dogs who are trained to sniff out scents are “as effective and often more effective” than antigen tests.
A total of 53 dogs were trained to sniff out Covid scents, while 37 were not and scientists found that the dogs that were not trained were in some cases “slightly superior” to those that were pre-trained.
“The previously untrained dogs have the advantage that they are not as prone to indicating on scents other than the Covid–19 associated scent,” the paper said.
The results indicated that not only can dogs detect Covid faster, but they can also do so in a non-intrusive manner. This means you won’t need to put a swab in your throat or nose.
How can dogs detect the virus?
This essentially comes down to the dog’s highly evolved nose with its ability to sense out smells quicker.
Dogs possess up to 300 million olfactory receptors in their noses, compared to about six million in humans. And the part of a dog’s brain that is devoted to analysing smells is about “40 times greater” than humans. Canines also have ‘neophilia’, which means they are attracted to new and interesting odours
And so, with all these enhancements, dogs can detect very low concentrations of odours associated with Covid infections.
“They can detect the equivalent of one drop of an odorous substance in 10.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools,” Professor Dickey said. “For perspective, this is about three orders of magnitude better than with scientific instrumentation.”
Scientists also found that in some cases, the animals were also able to detect the virus in pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, “whose viral load was too low for conventional tests to work.”
Professor Dickey has said that dogs can also differentiate Covid and its different variants in the presence of other respiratory viruses. This included the common cold or flu.
“They’re much more effective. In fact, one of the authors that we quote in the paper commented that the RT-PCR test is not the gold standard anymore. It’s the dog. And they’re so quick,” he added. “They can give you the yes or no within seconds if they’re directly smelling you.”
How was the study conducted to see if dogs can really detect Covid-19?
In some studies, the dogs gave a person a quick sniff, sitting down to see if the person has Covid. In another study, the dog was given a sweat sample to smell for a few minutes.
The press release has said that scent dogs, such as beagles, basset hounds and coonhounds are the ideal candidates for sniffing out the virus, given their “natural tendencies to rely on odours to relate to the world.”
But the studies which the researchers analysed showed a variety of dogs were up for the challenge and were able to sniff out the Covid odour. With a few weeks of training, puppies, older dogs, purebred and mixed breeds, both male and female were able to sniff such odours out and “all performed admirably,” the Eureka Alert press release said.
Although there has been success with dogs detecting such viruses, researchers believe there are still many challenges with using dogs for medical diagnoses.
“There’s quite a bit of research, but it’s still considered by many as a kind of a curiosity,” said Professor Dickey.
In conclusion, Professor Dickey and Junqueira said after reviewing the studies, believe that scent dogs deserve “their place as a serious diagnostic methodology that could be particularly useful during future pandemics, potentially as part of rapid routine health screenings in public spaces.”
“Perhaps, most importantly, we argue that the impressive international quality and quantity of COVID scent dog research described in our paper for the first time, demonstrates that medical scent dogs are finally ready for a host of mainstream medical applications,” they added.
Amazing Rescue: Mother Dog and Puppies Discover Paradise on Lush Green Meadows, Escaping the Scorching Desert Sun!
When it comes to motherhood, animals can be just as nurturing and protective as humans. This was proven by a mama dog found in the middle of a 122-degree desert with her puppies. Fortunately, their heartwarming story has a happy ending.
The mama dog and her puppies were discovered by a group of hikers who were trekking through the desert. The puppies were huddled close to their mother, trying to find some shade and relief from the scorching heat.
Upon seeing the desperate situation of the family, the hikers called the local animal rescue team. The rescue team immediately responded and arrived at the scene to rescue the mama dog and her puppies.
The rescue team found the family in poor health, severely dehydrated, and malnourished. They immediately provided them with water and food to revive their strength. After assessing their condition, the rescue team transported them to a veterinary clinic for further examination and treatment.
It was at the veterinary clinic that the mama dog and her puppies experienced a simple yet life-changing moment – they saw grass for the first time! It was an emotional and heartwarming sight as the puppies started to frolic in the green grass, while the mama dog watched over them with a happy and contented look on her face.
The mama dog’s maternal instincts shone through, as she watched her puppies enjoy their newfound freedom and joy. The moment was a reminder that even the simplest things can bring joy and happiness to those in need.
After several days of treatment and rehabilitation, the mama dog and her puppies were given a clean bill of health. They were then transferred to a local animal shelter, where they would be available for adoption
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This incredible story of a mama dog and her puppies rescued from scorching desert heat is a reminder of the power of kindness and compassion. The hikers who discovered them and the rescue team who saved their lives demonstrated the true spirit of humanity. The mama dog’s love for her puppies and their joy in experiencing the simple pleasures of life are an inspiration to us all.
In conclusion, the story of the mama dog and her puppies found in the middle of a 122-degree desert is a testament to the resilience of animals and the compassion of humans. It’s a story of survival, hope, and the importance of kindness. The joyful reaction of the puppies to green grass for the first time is a reminder that even in the most difficult circumstances, happiness can be found in the simplest things.
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