Dogs are a man’s best friend, indeed. But for some, the expression reaches further to “dogs are a diabetic’s best friend.”
Amazingly, dogs have been known to detect everything from cancer to low blood sugar. They can sense odors down to parts per trillion. Things we could not even begin to smell are strong scents to dogs. So it does not surprise many to know that dogs will often lick or fuss near particular parts of an owner’s body, only to find there is cancer in that body part.
Today, dogs are being trained in Britain to detect low blood sugar in diabetics. There are some people with diabetes who have reported their dogs will lick their faces or whine when their blood sugar gets dangerously low. Apparently many dogs can detect when a person is about to have an hypoglycemic episode. Currently there are 17 dogs in training who will be placed with diabetics – particularly with children who are insulin dependent.
If you or a family member has diabetes and you own a dog, pay close attention to times when your blood sugar is falling. Is your dog near you, upset, panting or licking you? If so, praise your dog once you are stable. After all, you just never know when your dog may be the one to save your life!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I have a pug that has saved my life many times while i was having a low blood sugar. He becomes very attentive, leans on me or will lay on my chest. He is wonderful and my angel! how can I get him qualified to wear a service vest? this is a huge problem.
Renee and Patrick the Pug
I found an organization that you can contact, perhaps they can help. It is Dogs for Diabetics. What an an amazing Pug you have! Let us know if you find out anything! Katherine
My daughter turned 3 on October 5, 2009 and she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on Sept. 8, 2009. She has had several episodes of some very lows, like 23 and 33. We have a german shephard that is 4 months old. Would he be able to be trained to detect low blood sugar in Hannah. Please let me know where and whom I need to speak with about this matter. I would appreciate any information you had. Thanks so much. Dawn Rose (KY)
Hi Dawn Rose! These would be the best people to ask – they are “Dogs for Diabetics.” Here is their website: http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/
I hope this helps! Katherine
My lab/collie mix that I lost 9 years ago grew to become my blood sugar’s best friend. At about the age of 5 she suddenly would start leading me to my kitchen and stand by my glucose meter. When I would check, my sugar would always be 67. Many times she would wake me up at night. I loved her so much. My current dogs–one aged 10, a lab mix and one that we saved as a stray 6.5 years age, a golden retriever/ spitz mix occasionally alert me but only about 30% of the time.
Connie, that is just amazing!!! I wonder if it had to do with the breed. But your other dog has lab… maybe it is the collie part? Or simply the bond. VERY VERY cool!
I know this is about dogs, but my cat alerts me when my blood sugar is low when I am asleep at night. He repeatedly scratches on the wardrobe door until I am up. My blood is always starting to get low when does this.
Thankfully I do not experience many nocturnal hypos, but if I do, he always seems to wake me. I guess it is harder to train a cat though!