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.
Sending Belated Birthday Greetings: Expressing Your Good Wishes with a Personal Touch
Living in today’s world, it can be simple to forget about an important occasion like a loved one’s birthday. The fast-paced nature of life, unforeseen circumstances, or even just not remembering can cause us to miss out on commemorating an important day.
Although the birthday may have already passed, it’s never too late to make amends and show your sincerest belated wishes. In this article, we’ll explore how to express your feelings with truthfulness, personalization, and affection.
To begin, you must acknowledge that you missed their special day, but emphasize that it doesn’t diminish its importance in your heart. A heartfelt belated wish can mean just as much as an on-time one, so don’t let lateness prevent you from reaching out.
Think about what makes your relationship with the person unique and use those details to craft a thoughtful message that reflects your shared experiences, inside jokes, or precious memories. Adding a personal touch to your belated birthday wishes shows that you’ve taken the time to reflect on your bond and make your message special.
Choosing the right medium to convey your message is also essential. A handwritten letter or a carefully selected card can serve as tangible keepsakes, while a heartfelt video message adds a personal touch. The medium you select should align with your style and the recipient’s preferences.
Make sure your belated birthday wishes are genuine and express real regret for the delay. Let the person know that they matter to you and that you hold them dear, even if you didn’t acknowledge their special day on time. Your sincerity and the warmth of your words can help make up for the late wishes.
Turn your belated birthday wishes into an opportunity to highlight the positives. Celebrate their achievements, their impact on your life, or the joy they bring to those around them. Remind them of their significance and why they are so special to you. This positive reinforcement can turn a belated wish into a heartfelt celebration.
If possible, plan a special get-together or activity to compensate for the delay. This demonstrates your commitment to creating lasting memories, even if it’s slightly delayed. It shows that you’re willing to make amends and celebrate their special day in a memorable way.
A little bit of humor can also go a long way. Consider adding a well-placed joke or witty comment to your belated birthday wishes to make the person smile and lessen any disappointment from the late wishes. It shows that you can laugh at yourself, and the relationship is strong enough to handle a little lateness.
If you choose to send a gift along with your belated birthday wishes, think about the person’s interests and preferences. A thoughtful gift can show that you’ve put thought and effort into selecting something meaningful. Let this be an opportunity to make up for the late wishes and show that you care.
Leave a Reply