My 8 year old son has a congenital heart defect that was corrected at birth, well we bought a st. bernard and she is a really good, loving dog, but for some reason she doesnt like him. He does have a different sounding heartbeat and I am wondering if she can detect his defect?
2006-10-06 09:41:29 · 9 answers · asked by wladyanimal32 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
As you can read for yourself at the first site below, dogs do have incredible hearing, so your St. Bernard may be able to hear the difference in heartbeat from your son. Though why this would make the dog not like him, I wouldn't venture to guess.
The only other abnormality that dogs can detect, as it seems, is possibly cancer. The second site below gives information on this.
Is it possible that your son is subconsciously a bit afraid of the dog and the dog is picking up on this? I have this problem all the time with dogs -- I really don't like them too much and they seem to be able to sense that about me! Weird.
2006-10-06 09:51:11 · answer #1 · answered by Yahzmin ♥♥ 4ever 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some dogs are hyper-sensitive to specific medical conditions; for example, there are some dogs that can "smell" when liver patients are in ketosis, or when diabetics need an insulin boost, or when people prone to seizures are about to have one. But there is no documentation of dogs "disliking" people with birth defects.
Your situation sounds more like a behavior issue than an example of your dog disliking your son for his heart defect.
We suggest setting up training sessions for the dog in which your son participates so the two of them have structured time together with a trainer who can properly supervise their interactions.
When the dog learns to see your son as a pack-mate instead of "competition" they should become fast friends.
2006-10-06 09:59:43 · answer #2 · answered by Fetch 11 Humane Society 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On a health channel (maybe Discovery Health) I saw a documentary about a lady who had a small tumor in her breast and her dog repeatedly nudged at where the tumor was over a period of time.
This led the lady to go get a mammogram and, sure enough, a small cancerous tumor was discovered and removed.
The narrator of the show explained that dogs can "smell" cancer and are trained in some countries to detect cancer.
--The results of the study showed that dogs can detect breast and lung cancer with sensitivity and specificity between 88% and 97%
--
click this link for more info on the above:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060106002944.htm
2006-10-06 09:51:27 · answer #3 · answered by Sal G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Some dogs do detect problems we humans have, or will have. Well known fact.
I've seen this on tv many times.
And personally know it's true.
We have a 14 year old terrier who when I have a fibrillation problem comes and rests her head on my chest, over my heart, attempting to console me from the pain.
She is now full of cancer and still gets sympathetic for me.
Of course she gets the best of care, and I cannot see any way of putting her down until she can no longer enjoy our love.
Cancer, lost hearing, sleeps 90 percent of the time, but comes and licks my hand when she wants her treats.......of course she gets them! We are well trained..........
2006-10-06 10:02:49 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that some dogs can detect pending abnormalities such as seizures, low blood sugar and heart attacks (one of my friends has a seizure dog) so I wouldn't doubt if they can detect a abnormal heart beat.
Check out this website that is about how dogs can SMELL problems with a human......
http://www.healthyhappydogs.com/Stories
2006-10-06 09:54:20 · answer #5 · answered by msnite1969 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dogs are very intellegent when it comes to hearing and detecting differences in the human body but i dont' see how that would make your dog not like your son. What does she do when your son is around does she growl and snap if so i am sorry to say i would give her to some one else and try for a different dog. i wouldn't want something to happen to my son.
2006-10-06 10:47:58 · answer #6 · answered by marlette n 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dogs CAN hear the difference, but that is likely not the issue. Most dogs are more protective of one they know is sick. Try taking your child and dog to an obedience class together. It will teach your son how to properly handle your pet as well as teach your pet some basic manners.
2006-10-06 09:45:03 · answer #7 · answered by Casper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard before that animals and babies can pick up on things from people, like diseases, but I can't imagine that is why the dog doesn't like him. Depending on how old the dog is, she may have had some bad experience with kids or just not use to them. Might just take some adjustment for her to get used to him and feel safe around him. Good luck!
2006-10-06 09:47:01 · answer #8 · answered by la_southern_femme 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I know someone who had a Labrador who kept smelling of the gentleman's leg. For months and eventually years this went on. The man finally went to the doctor because his leg started to hurt him and he had cancer in his leg and had to have the part where the dog kept smelling removed! True story! Not an urban legend. So I do believe dogs are have knowledge we might not have.
2006-10-06 09:51:26 · answer #9 · answered by Boo 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋