Scientific
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Dogs can detect certain illnesses in humans using their sense of smell.
Dogs' sense of smell is approximately 10,000 to 100,000 times more sensitive than humans', thanks to the presence of 300 million olfactory receptors. This extraordinary sensitivity allows them to detect volatile compounds associated with certain medical conditions, such as glucose variations in diabetics or chemical changes linked to cancer. Dogs can identify these metabolic changes well before symptoms become apparent to a physician.
Medical detection is explained by the dog's ability to recognize specific olfactory patterns produced by a distressed human body. Studies have shown that certain trained dogs can anticipate an epileptic seizure or critical hypoglycemia within minutes. This natural talent has led to the development of professional medical alert dogs, who now serve as genuine health auxiliaries for many patients.
