Sniffing out Danger: The Practicality of Diabetic Alert Dogs

Canines have the capability to detect and alert individuals to many different medical conditions, including fluctuation in blood glucose levels due to diabetes. This is largely due to dogs having approximately a 20-fold increase in the brain’s olfactory cells that detect odors (220 million) compared to humans (5 million). They can also recognize visual cues that suggest low glucose levels, such as shaking, dizziness, confusion and anxiety.

This enables Diabetes Alert Dogs (DADs) to distinguish normal from abnormal blood glucose levels based on chemical odors in the individual’s breath, urine or perspiration. Although DADs can also detect hyperglycemia, they are primarily used to detect hypoglycemia and have been shown to provide alerts with up to 30 minutes warning. Despite this ability, the accuracy of the DADs is widely debated. Some studies report that they can detect abnormal levels only 48% of the time, whereas others suggest an accuracy of more than 90%. Nevertheless, many patients are convinced that their DAD saved their life on at least one occasion.

In addition to detecting abnormal glucose levels, DADs may benefit mental and physical health. Many dog owners report significant increases in happiness, well-being and physical activity levels, which could potentially lead to a reduction in illness, better glycemic control and an improved quality of life. Therefore, people who may benefit the most from a DAD include those with reduced mobility, those living alone, or those who are visually impaired.

It’s possible that advances in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology might reduce the need for DADs. However, people with DADs strongly feel that the benefits of their DADs on their health and quality of life are much greater than the studies suggest. Further research may provide better insights. In the meantime, it is clear that DADs have many hard-to-define positive effects on the lives of some people with diabetes.

About the author

Riley Ried

Riley is a graduate student in the Department of Surgery at the University of Alberta researching the development of a humanized mouse model to assess graft function and rejection of human and neonatal porcine islets in the context of the human immune system. Riley studies the immunological responses during xenotransplantation to uncover a new source of islets that may allow more individuals to be eligible for islet transplantation.