The Zim Family Cocker Spaniel Forum

Curious to hear your reactions... My latest blog post:

http://www.fidoseofreality.com/v2/2012/02/do-dogs-sense-when-we-are-sick-and-just-how-do-they-%E2%80%9Cknow%E2%80%9D/

My pair take very different approaches to me being sick/hurt, but they both seem to know. Perhaps it is something in my voice, or a slowness to my movement that clues them in. I will probably never know. Bruce wants to "heat pack" every problem I have, and he always seems to know exactly what is hurting. I recently broke my wrist and Bruce insisted on laying on top of my wrist (not a normal behavior for him at all) anytime I was laying on the bed or couch. He also seems to know which muscles are aching from the gym, which sadly doesn't help them out! Theo takes a different approach to nurturing. He hibernates with me, and feels the need to groom me. I guess he thinks I'm not capable when I'm sick or hurting? Who knows.

I do think they sense when we are sick. I have been battling ear infection and a very bad cold for almost 3 weeks. I am now much better but the very first days Holly will not leave my side. I stayed home sick a few days and she was checking on me constantly. In the other hand several years ago I fell in the kitchen taking a bad fall that made me stayed in the floor several minutes before I was able to get up. Holly just checked me, smelled me and walked away. I was oh my God if I am in trouble this dog is not going to react. Anyway I think when you are in tune with your dog they sense everything.

Or, Holly knew your life wasn't threatened and that your injury wasn't completely debilitating.
I think they can definitely smell when you are sick. I once had what I thought was a bad cold/flu. Mia kept trying to lick my face, even while I was sleeping; hard licks, not sloppy "I love you" licks. After 2 days with a fever and painful congestion I went to the doctor. Turns out I had a sinus infection. After the first day on antibiotics, Mia stopped trying to lick my face.

My very dear friend is a diabetic. Her heart dog, Hershey can sense when her insulin is down. He gets up in her face and won't let her alone till she checks her blood sugar. He knows when she is in pain and will lay on the area that is hurting her.

I'm sure she won't mind my sharing his pix here. He's a beautiful boy. I guess I'm partial, he's my GrandPuppy, I have his Daddy.

Hershey: CH Stormbeau's Peanutbutter Storm, RN, CGC, TDI

My husband just got out of the hospital 3 weeks ago for a silent heart attack, atrial fibrilation, congestive heart failure, and a severe case of gout, all which were discovered at a semi-annual physical a month ago. Tim had no symptoms of the heart problems and we were in shock when we discovered how ill he actually was at that point. Emma had been very attentive to him for the past couple months, constantly smelling his breath, and laying on his chest over his heart. She wouldn't lay on his lap, she would just lay on his chest when he would be in the recliner. When I don't feel well, Parker will lay on the bed as close as he can get to me. I really think their sense of smell and intuitive internal senses are stronger than we can imagine or scientifically prove. That's one of a zillion reasons why we love them so dearly!!!

Okay, there are even dogs to sniff out cancer and those that know when a seizure is coming for people who need these. I can tell you some of this doesn't even take training. My senior terrier Diva (largest dog in my icon) has many medical difficulties of her own with Addison's disease, thyroid problems and allergies. That doesn't stop her from being a "nurse" dog herself though. Some time ago when she was younger she started alerting us when our cat had an unseen injury, like a small abcess or something. We became trained by her to notice when she gently sniffed and then prodded an area on the other dogs or cats. This was a very distinctive nudge with her nose done repeatedly. Then came the day she started nudging my hubby's leg. He had a very small black dot, sort of like an ink spot, on his calf. Within days she seemed to become obsessive about it. Finally with my urging he went to the doctor. Buried in his calf was a golf ball sized precancerous cyst. It hadn't been swollen or sore but it had taken out some muscular tissue during its growth. The doctor said we were lucky to have caught it early. We didn't, Diva had. They know, they really do. I caution you all to PAY ATTENTION if your 4 legged family starts indicating something is wrong. They do know sometimes better than we do.