General Chat

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Entle Girl — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:29:31 GMT

Yes they do know.... My childhood dog Gypsy was a cocker spaniel / husky mix. She was always gentle and loving. At one point though, she began following my aunt around the house (aunt lived with us). There was nowhere my aunt could go and nothing she couldn't do without gypsy following her. At the time my aunt was a smoker and when she would go outside and sit on the back porch stoop (which was very small) to smoke, gypsy would force herself onto the stoop next to my aunt. She did everyday for about two months leading up to the time that my aunt was diganosed with cancer.

She's ok now, but looking back, we still talk about how it was so out of character and obvious at what this great dog was detecting. Makes you wish we could really hear them talk... !

Re: do they know when we're sick?

BlackLabbie — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:08:55 GMT

Yes, I think they know.

Last year when I got the stomache flu (it was horrible!), Apollo didn't leave my side. I actually had to push him off me because he wanted to lay right ON me. When I locked him out of the bathroom because I was sick (and crying because I hate being sick) he was outside the door crying/whining/howling....yah, we're a team in everything, lol!

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Luvntzus — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:03:19 GMT

I go back and forth between thinking that they know and not being sure about it. When I got alcohol poisoning, my husband said that Gingerbread stayed by my side the whole time. Usually he snuggles with me for a few minutes and then finds a comfortable spot nearby to lay down. But it's not like he was whining or pawing at me or doing anything really unusual.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Jewlieee — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 03:34:28 GMT

What a coincidence. Tonight while channel surfing I came across weird connections - a show on the sci channel. The show was about scenting and one of the subjects was dogs sniffing out cancer. They took several leader dogs and did a click and treat when the dogs picked out the urine of a bladder cancer patient among other urine samples that did not have cancer. Soon all the dogs could distinguish cancer scents from regular scents. One of the samples was supposed to be a clean sample with no cancer. However the dogs kept selecting that sample. Turns out the guy who gave the sample had kidney cancer instead of the bladder cancer they had been looking for.

Another example they had was a dog who kept sniffing a mole on the neck of its owner (the dog had not been trained to detect cancer). The owner went in and it did turn out to be cancerous. so, no doubt cancer has a specific scent that dogs can distinguish.

pretty cool stuff.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

mudpuppy — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:15:11 GMT

I have a dog who is only alive today because the other dogs kept insistently smelling and poking at one place on her leg. Took her to the vet, turns out there was a tiny sarcoma growing there. If we had waited until us stupid humans had been able to notice something was going on, well, dog would have lost her leg and probably her life. Pay attention to what your dogs are telling you! please!

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Jewlieee — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:43:14 GMT

I'd say if it happens more than once or twice. Next time don't say no no, just have your dh get up and walk away. That way the dog will think it's ok to do it again if he thinks there's something there that's different enough to focus on.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

shadowsgin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:31:36 GMT

Jewlieee:
I would never reprimand her.

My form of reprimand is "No,no, Rocky, lol." The reason I am so curious is last night Rocky jumped up on Hubby's lap (nightly ritual) he usually lays between us on a pillow until it is time to go to bed. Last night he wouldn't lay down right away he kept sniffing at hubby's face. We had just finished dinner but like I said this is the nightly ritual and its always after dinner. We laughed and Hubby said "What is this silly boy doing?" He was so insistant about smelling his face. I know that sounds weird but it was not just a sniff it was like Hubby was having to hold him off. Finally I said "No,no Rocky" and made him lay down. That was the end of it. It was just so strange! I got to thinking about those shows I see where a pet focuses in on a certain part of the body and wont stop. It was just weird once I thought about it. Then I read this thread and thought...whoa! It just made me think about how would you know if it was just a matter of being a silly puppy or really something you should pay attention to.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

lisa4kids1pup — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:29:06 GMT

I think they know...and they know when we're sad or upset. My dog always stays a little closer to me when I'm sick for sure, and will come over and cuddle with me when I'm blue.

I think cats have this too....many years ago, I had pneumonia. I spent a lot of time lying in bed, sleeping. I kept noticing my cat was with me a lot more than usual, but thought nothing of it until I woke up with him on my CHEST! He had never slept on my chest since he was a tiny kitten! He left occasionally to eat and potty, and would come right back and climb onto my chest. It was like he knew right where the problem was...it was so strange. He did that for a couple of days, and then settled in by my legs after that. Man, I loved that cat. He used to let me wear him around my neck like a shawl or something!!! I've since developed terrible cat allergies, so no more inside kitties for me!

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Jewlieee — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:43:00 GMT

shadowsgin:

My question would be when do you take serious notice if they indicate a medical problem.

I really try to pay close attention to what Abbie is focusing on when she is sniffing and licking my skin. Her licking is more than just dog-human kisses or submissive behavior. She actually does hone in on my problem areas: ankles, knuckles, elbows, etc. If she starts to focus on something else, I can't help but wonder what she is sensing. I would never reprimand her.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

shadowsgin — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 18:29:17 GMT

I strongly believe that our dogs know the difference between sick and just plain tired. My question would be when do you take serious notice if they indicate a medical problem. I know we are usually in-tune to what our pets do on a daily basis but would we recognize and understand if they were telling us, in their own way, there was a problem that needed to be addressed. I have seen a few shows that dogs pointed out cancer and other medical problems way before it was diagnosed. Would I be attentive enough to think; I should pay attention. Or would I just say "Aw look how cute that is" and think it was something new they were trying. Worse yet scold them for doing something they shouldnt.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Benedict — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:44:48 GMT

I think so....I got hit by a cold at some point during the middle of the night and feel like something the cat dragged in today. Ben has been very mellow and only left his duty post of keeping my feet warm to be taken for a walk by DH.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

ron2 — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:41:54 GMT

Sometimes when I am sick and just enough energy to stay in bed and not pass on, Shadow will lick my neck and rest beside me.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

janetmichel3009 — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:09:01 GMT

oh i'm sure they know. the question is, do they think it's big enough of a deal to "comfort" you.

when i had twisted my ankle (or ONE of the times i have twisted it) last time moca almost got herself thrown out the window. i could only limp with the injured foot stretch far in front of me. moca wasnt crate trained at the time. (she lost that privilage after some housetraining relaps...) so when i came in the door, obviously i was sloooowly shoving my injured foot through the door. what does moca do? pounces on my foot full force! i swear you could hear me screaching and cursing 10 floors up!

on the other hand when i am sick with the flu both of them are always rreeeeaaaallllyyy calm. that is way unusual. they can also tell when i have a fever and dont want them "cuddling" me, cause i'm hot. and when i need them to warm me up. that is the one time they are just awesome....

Re: do they know when we're sick?

BCMixs — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:42:53 GMT

Some do, I think. Indie even followed Milo around and comforted him by lying next to him constantly when Milo had his UTI and was down in the dumps. He behaves that way towards the humans in the household who are sick or emotionally upset also.

Woobie couldn't give a crap and gives you the stink eye for not taking him out to do fun things.

Re: do they know when we're sick?

Mookies Mom — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 02:37:58 GMT

I would say they definitely know. I've been sick with flu twice in the last couple of months and B has graciously let me opt out of the evening walk without so much as even a tiny broof. Usually he starts a full campaign for dog time about 5 p.m. When I was sick he was definitely a soul in sympathy! :)