Life Saving Dogs - By Lizzi Botta
A study was done recently showing how dogs can smell an odor that humans emit during Epileptic Seizures. Some dogs have been trained to sense seizures and respond to them, but there is little to no evidence of this.
So with this new research, it helps prove how dogs can actually detect seizures in humans. This study took sweat samples from 7 patients with different types of Epilepsy performing different activities like sleeping, having a seizure, or exercising. Scientists placed these samples in different cans- many of the dogs recognized the can that had contained the seizure sample. Here is a video of the study taking place:
These results show how in the future, we can train service dogs to quickly respond to seizures, and possibly even sense seizures “before they progress”. A chemistry professor, Kenneth Furton, said that, “Studies like this are important, to provide a sound scientific foundation for the true capabilities of canines sensing seizures”. Dogs truly are amazing animals and have helped humans in so many different ways.
Furton’s research has also shown that many dogs can detect seizures 15 - 45 minutes before they even happen- this professor is trying to find ways to train other dogs to be able to do this. Most “seizure alert” dogs sense when a seizure is happening and are able to provide supportive care, but Furton wants to take this a step further. Although training these dogs will be expense and difficult, it could really “lead to new detection mechanisms for seizures or new approaches for studying epilepsy”.
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Those doggies are so cute! I had no clue this research was happening!
ReplyDeleteWow that's really cool!
ReplyDeleteThe more I read about dogs, the more I'm amazed at what they can do.
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing that a dog can use his advanced sense of smell to alert those afflicted with epilepsy when they are about to have a seizure!
ReplyDelete