Did You Know These Animals Are Capable Of Detecting Infections And Diseases In Humans?

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You've probably heard of dogs picking up cancer or cats making biscuits near a possible tumor. Animals have been reported to detect infections and diseases in humans.

Many animals possess fascinating abilities, such as camouflage, recuperation, and - it turns out - diagnostic capabilities. Some animals may be able to detect medical problems in humans by using visual cues, smells, or other means.

Animals In Disease Detection

Here are six animals that may be able to replace your doctor! (it's a joke)

1. Dogs

There are approximately 220 million scent receptors in dogs, compared to 5 million in humans. This makes dogs capable of smelling things we are unable to comprehend.

As a result of their 10,000 times more accurate scent receptors than humans, dogs can detect substances with concentrations up to one part per trillion, which means their nose is capable of detecting substances in this concentration range [1].

A study suggests that dogs are capable of detecting breast cancer with 88 percent accuracy and lung cancer with 99% accuracy. They are also capable of sensing high and low blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, among other abilities [2].

2. Cats

It is also known that cats have an uncanny ability to detect diseases and ailments. It is also known that cats have a keen sense of smell and are able to detect chemical changes arising from diseases in the body. Furthermore, cats can detect changes in mood, behavior, and pattern that affect their daily routines [3][4].

3. Fruit flies

An Italian study has found that fruit flies respond to certain types of cancer cells through changes in their antennas [5]. Additionally, they can distinguish between cancer types and types of breast cancers [6].

4. Mice

Mice, among other mammals, are capable of detecting disease in humans and other animals. Studies have shown that mice can be trained to detect avian flu in the feces of ducks with 90% accuracy [7].

5. Pigeons

A number of researchers have demonstrated that pigeons can be trained to distinguish between breast cancer cells and malignant cancer cells. The pigeons identified malignant cells with 50% accuracy after a single day of training, but that accuracy increased to 85% by day 15 [8].

6. Rats

In a study by the National Institutes of Health, Gambian pouched rats were trained by humans to detect tuberculosis infections and uncover landmines. They are able to identify tuberculosis infections 80% of the time after a period of training [9].

7. Ants

According to a very recent study, ants have been trained to detect cancer in urine by researchers. Animals, including ants, with their keen sense of smell, can be trained to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are released by cancer cells [10].

On A Final Note...

The field of odour detection will remain a unique, joint animal-human area of research.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.