Using sniffer dogs to detect COVID-19

@JudyEv (358104)
Rockingham, Australia
January 13, 2022 5:51pm CST
Sniffer dogs have been used in a number of roles for a number of years. Now, they are being trained to detect COVID-infected people. Dogs are already used to find people infected with malaria. Early results are very promising and, although larger studies are being undertaken, sniffer dogs are already being used in some instances. The dogs sniff sweat samples and don’t come into direct contact with people. Results are instantaneous and so far the dogs have a better strike rate than the RAT (Rapid Antigen Test). Using sniffer dogs would be very beneficial for low-income countries with limited laboratory resources. Photo is of a cute dog we saw in France. He doesn't look like he'd excel at COVID detection but I could be wrong.
24 people like this
23 responses
@DaddyEvil (152913)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Did he bark at you in French?
4 people like this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
He was at a market and looked thoroughly browned off.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (152913)
• United States
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv Does that mean he looked bored? (I've never heard of "browned off".)
4 people like this
@FourWalls (76547)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Le bark!
3 people like this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Interesting. Still prefer home test kits though. Feel sorry for the fur baby.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
I think they'd look after the dogs. If they didn't, the success rate would plummet. And a lot of dogs enjoy their work.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Jan 22
@oahuwriter I hope you'll get your free kits soon.
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26773)
• United States
16 Jan 22
@JudyEv That's good! In America, home covid tests is really beginning to be the best. I went to the pharmacy to pick up my meds and I asked about the free covid test kits. It'll be on Jan. 19, but, they're not sure if how it'll be. President Biden is getting a site ready for distribution of free home covid tests & N95 masks. I'm waiting for that site. The kits & masks come via mail.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (192541)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Dog's noses are amazing. I know some can even detect cancer.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (192541)
• United States
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv Maybe not
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
I don't think we have tapped into half the things that dogs can detect.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (149217)
• India
14 Jan 22
I thought only certain breeds are used as sniffer dogs
1 person likes this
@allknowing (149217)
• India
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv You have been quite explicit and clear leaving nothing to one's imagination in your post
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
@allknowing Why, thank you!
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
The one in the photo isn't a sniffer dog. I'm sorry if I implied he was.
1 person likes this
• Peoria, Arizona
14 Jan 22
that is actually really amazing and so helpful! We don't deserve dogs, but we should be grateful towards them because they really have changed things for us.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
It's incredible what dogs can do. It seems just a matter of communicating with them properly.
1 person likes this
• Peoria, Arizona
15 Jan 22
@JudyEv They seem to listen to communication than majority of humanity!
1 person likes this
• Peoria, Arizona
15 Jan 22
@JudyEv They seem to listen to communication than majority of humanity!
1 person likes this
@saytama (561)
• Friedrichshafen, Germany
14 Jan 22
If we take into account the fact that in some countries the test costs about 80 euros , we cost about 50 euros now they have made it a little cheaper about 30 , then the dog would have saved the situation , and I also heard that some people suffer asymptomatically
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
Yes, that's true. Some people have no symptoms. And dogs will work just for their board and lodging, won't they? They don't need to be paid.
1 person likes this
@saytama (561)
• Friedrichshafen, Germany
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv I would say that this is a huge business , they earn money on people , they earn money on animals , they earn money on everything
1 person likes this
@saytama (561)
• Friedrichshafen, Germany
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv I am against the use and exploitation of both people and animals , but nowadays you no longer understand where good and evil are
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (49983)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
14 Jan 22
They have highly developed senses of smell. Just think of all the dogs on 'walkies' who stop to check their p-mail.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
There is a road crossing outside our kitchen window and a bush, and every dog that goes past that bush leaves his p-mail.
1 person likes this
@rebelann (114273)
• El Paso, Texas
14 Jan 22
I saw that article on the news feed on Bing.com a few days ago. I have to wonder how they train them to detect diseases.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
I wonder that too but I guess they have their ways.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (86813)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
14 Jan 22
That is a cute looking dog, That is interesting about the dogs and I hope this will be of help,
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Jan 22
It might become a cheap alternative to testing all the time.
1 person likes this
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
14 Jan 22
it would be great if dogs can sniff covid and the dog in the pic is so cute!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
It would be a much cheaper option than continually testing people.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (17001)
• United States
14 Jan 22
That is interesting indeed. What a sweet picture of a pup.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
The dog looks like he just wants to go home.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (17001)
• United States
14 Jan 22
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17228)
• Raurkela, India
14 Jan 22
They have to be careful as the virus enters through the nose. It's very likely that the dog may get infected while sniffing the sweat.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
I guess that is possible.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (17228)
• Raurkela, India
15 Jan 22
@JudyEv That's very much possible. They have to vaccinate the sniffer dogs.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203409)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Jan 22
Sweet dog. I read articles about this.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
There seems no end to the things that dogs can do.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203409)
• Nashville, Tennessee
14 Jan 22
@JudyEv Totally agree with you.
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
14 Jan 22
my dogs would be so lazy! They would only sniff for covid if the person actually sat right in front of them
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
They might work for treats though - or are they too well fed?
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54399)
• United States
15 Jan 22
@JudyEv that is a great question, they will do things for rewards yes.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50970)
• Holiday, Florida
14 Jan 22
oh I just wish the whole mess would go away as I'm sure everyone else does. yes it's cute dog.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
It would be good if it would all go away but it doesn't seem likely at the moment.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (76547)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Isn’t that cool? I read that they have dogs they’ve trained that can “smell” cancer, too. Man’s best friend, indeed!!!!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
Yes, that's true too. But kids with Type 1 diabetes can be about to have an 'episode' while they're asleep and the dog knows and goes and wakes the parents. I mean, it's just incredible. Beyond belief really - which is what 'incredible' means, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (119022)
• Marion, Ohio
14 Jan 22
I hope they keep working out
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
It seems there is now a lot of work in this area.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (194184)
• United States
14 Jan 22
Cute dog and an interesting post.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
Thanks. I thought it was interesting.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40231)
• United States
14 Jan 22
That's pretty amazing that they're more accurate than the rapid test. I hope the dogs can't catch it or anything. I wonder if it's a specific breed of dog. That one in your photo is cute
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
There seem to be a few breeds that excel at this kind of work.
• Philippines
14 Jan 22
Dogs really are incredible creatures!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (358104)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Jan 22
It seems they can be trained for a great many duties.
1 person likes this