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.
“Entertaining Battle of Wits: Enormous Dog’s Hilarious Efforts to Dodge Bath Time”
Once upon a time, in a cozy little house, a baby boy named Lucas lived with his family. They had a lively, affectionate golden retriever named Max, who had been a part of the family since Lucas was born.
From the moment Lucas could crawl, he and Max became inseparable companions. Max seemed to understand that Lucas was a delicate little friend, and he always watched over him with a gentle and watchful eye.
As Lucas grew older, so did his curiosity about the world around him. One sunny morning, as the family enjoyed breakfast, Lucas noticed a butterfly fluttering outside the window. Intrigued, he pointed at it, making excited sounds. Max, always eager to be a part of Lucas’s adventures, bounded to the window and wagged his tail in delight.
The little explorer within Lucas took over, and he decided to follow the butterfly’s flight. He crawled towards the back door, and Max followed close behind. Giggles filled the air as Lucas made his way to the backyard, where the butterfly landed on a colorful flower.
Curious about the newfound discovery, Lucas reached out to touch the delicate insect. Max sat down next to him, as if offering moral support. The butterfly gracefully took off again, and Lucas laughed with delight, clapping his tiny hands.
As days turned into weeks, Lucas and Max continued to explore the wonders of nature together. They splashed in puddles after rainstorms, rolled in the grass, and played fetch in the yard. Max patiently fetched the ball, even when Lucas’s throws were more like gentle tosses.
As Lucas started taking his first steps, Max became his loyal walking partner. He would walk beside Lucas, ensuring the little boy’s balance and providing him with a sense of security. If Lucas stumbled, Max would nuzzle him, as if reassuring him that everything would be alright.
As the years passed, their bond only grew stronger. Lucas and Max grew up side by side, sharing countless adventures and tender moments. Max was not just a dog to Lucas but a true and devoted friend.
Even as Lucas became more independent and started school, he always looked forward to coming home to Max. They still had their evening playtime, and Max remained a source of comfort during any challenging days.
In the end, Max was not just a pet; he was family. He had witnessed Lucas’s first steps, first words, and many first experiences. Their unbreakable connection showed that the love between a baby and a dog could transcend time and create beautiful memories that would last a lifetime.
And so, the little explorer and the loyal pup lived happily ever after, cherishing their friendship and the love they shared in their hearts forever.
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