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.
Courageous Puppy Cries for Help and Battles to Rescue Mother Dog from Giant Python Attack, Displaying Exceptional Bravery in the Face of Danger
A small and courageous puppy demonstrates extraordinary bravery as it raises the alarm to save its mother from the grips of a giant python in a heart-wrenching and awe-inspiring scene recorded on camera. The harrowing incident occurred in a secluded town, illustrating the remarkable link between a pup and its father, as well as animals’ resilient spirit in the face of peril.
An astonishing story of daring and survival unfolded before the eyes of startled people in a small, remote community where nature and wildlife intertwined. This heart-stopping story revealed the steadfast strength and close relationship formed by a tiny dog and its mother as they confronted a massive python menace.
The terrifying meeting occurred in the tranquillity of the village, where daily life continued according to the natural rhythms. The peace was disrupted, however, as a gigantic python curled itself firmly around the mother dog, threatening her very survival. The mother dog found herself in a grave situation while writing in the claws of the reptile predator.
But assistance was not far away. A brave and quick-witted dog, just a few months old, became a witness to the dangerous event happening in front of its eyes. The young canine understood it had to act quickly and forcefully, fueled by natural resolve and an unshakable relationship with its mother.
The courageous pup unleashed a tremendous cry for aid, its frantic appeal resonating throughout the community, with every ounce of power and courage it possessed. The urgency and anxiety in its voice were unmistakable, prompting local residents to seek the cause of the uproar.
The locals hurried towards the terrified canine, guided by the puppy’s earnest appeal, knowing that time was of the essence. As they approached the scene, their eyes widened in amazement and bewilderment at what they saw. The mother dog, wrapped in the python’s tight hold, battled feverishly for her liberation, her life hanging in the balance.
The people worked together fearlessly to save the embattled mother dog from the grip of the terrible snake. Armed with tools and their collective might, they developed a strategy to rescue the mother dog from the python’s clutches.
The villagers performed their strategy with precision, painstakingly loosening the python’s coils and eventually releasing its grasp on the mother dog in a display of unshakable bravery and synchronization. As the tension subsided and the python’s hold loosened, hope ignited in the hearts of everyone who saw the rescue effort.
Finally, with one last concentrated attempt, the villagers were able to totally remove the mother dog from the python’s stifling grip. As the brave canine was reunited with her tough young, the crowd erupted in relief and appreciation.
This extraordinary story of bravery and survival serves as a compelling reminder of the tremendous ties that exist in the animal realm, as well as the awe-inspiring strength displayed by creatures large and tiny. The narrative of the brave puppy’s call for assistance and the villagers’ collaborative attempt to save the mother dog from the claws of a gigantic python exemplifies the indomitable spirit that dwells inside every living creature.
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