Diabetic Alert Dogs

Diabetic sufferers can use the service of diabetic alert dogs to help them recognize the symptoms of diabetes and get immediate treatment. While getting a diabetic alert dog can be expensive, it might provide a priceless service for people with diabetes.

  1. Function

    • Diabetic alert dogs have been trained to recognize the signs of low and high blood sugar levels in individuals who suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. They help people with diabetes and their family members respond to these symptoms in a timely manner.

    Identification

    • A diabetic alert dog identifies abnormal blood sugar levels by scent. Other working dogs also use their noses to perform a task, including search and rescue dogs, arson dogs and drug detection dogs.

    Types

    • Some dog breeds such as the Labrador retriever work better as diabetic alert dogs. However, other healthy dogs with the right temperament also have the potential to be diabetic alert dogs.

    Benefits

    • Diabetic alert dogs can detect an abnormality in blood sugar levels even when their human companions are unaware of it, for example, when they are sleeping. Also, they allow diabetic children to play without needing constant parental supervision.

    Considerations

    • Training a dog to recognize diabetic symptoms takes approximately one to two years, and can cost up to $20,000. As of July 2010, no scientific data proves the effectiveness of dogs in detecting abnormal blood sugar levels.