to think a dog might be able to sniff out an illness?

[oopsadaisymaisy]

A friend has been in really poor health. He told me the other day that his dog keeps sniffing his legs - does anyone have any experience of dogs sniffing odd bits ? And.......... did it relate to an illness?

I think they can sniff out cancer.

Not quite what you wanted to hear and I don't know how accurate they are, but they might be able to sniff out other stuff too?

yes they quite often do seem to know things. my dog definitely knew i was pregnant, before i knew i was...
i'd be chasing it, personally (the leg thing, not the dog). I'm not very alternative but i do trust a dog.
(oddest statement i've said today )

Apparently they can yes.

My dd has an odd smell about her when she's ill too. I can tell she's ill by the smell of the top of her head and have been able to since she was a baby.

I guess I was being a bit light hearted about a subject that is clearly not very light hearted at all. I found it interesting that he pointed this out to me - his dog keeps sniffing his legs. I felt as if he was trying to tell me something. I'm not sure why. He is in very poor health and I'm worried about him. I just had a quick read of the attached article. Do you really think there's any truth in it?

A friend's dog came and sat next to me a few months ago, she said he usually barks and growls at people he's never met and she was shocked. I'm a bit worried. I have MS though so it could be this??

Animals are definitely sensitive to this kind of thing.

There was the story a few years ago about the cat that lived in a nursing home: he would sleep in the rooms of residents who were about to die.
I've also read about dogs that sense epilepsy and can warn their owners if they are about to have a fit.

Yes, I do think animals have a sixth sense for these things. I'm sure our dog knew I was pregnant before I did.

I think I also read or heard something about this and that's why it stuck in my mind. I don't think I could ever say anything to my friend. or maybe I should. Dogs are amazing aren't they! I find it really intriguing that they can sense when a person is near, or strangers are in the vacinity or that sometimes they just take a dislike to people (actually that last big isn't that weird at all). I do find dogs very interesting.

Wow - dogs are amazing

Yeah I think you should definitely say something to your friend - you never know

There was a dog featured on this year's Crufts who could tell his owner was going to have an Epileptic fit about an hour before it actually happened. He would signal to the owner so that she made preparations for it and found herself a safe place to lie. The dog would then lick her face and bark to bring her out of the sleep.

Yes,you should suggest he gets it checked out. There are dogs used like hearing dogs,to warn of an impending seizure. They do pick up on lots of stuff we don't.Sounds worrying to me,and worth mentioning.

I remember the story about the cat story as well cavemum.

I honestly think that if it was my friend and I knew about what dogs might be able to do, then I would tell them.

If you're worried it might upset them, isn't it better they get upset but get checked out than just leaving it?

If it is anything serious (which it might not be) some things are better caught early.

Not an easy conversation though, what did you say when you saw/they told you about the dog sniffing their legs?

I completely believe in this. Dogs are very clever (and other animals too!). There was a dog like this in My Sister's Keeper IIRC.

Agent, I didn't say anything but it made me think and I've been thinking about the whole thing since. He said the dog keeps sniffing his legs, not just a one off but is doing it lots. He has an underlying illness that can make him potentially open to other illnesses. I've noticed him limping from time to time too. I have asked him if everything's ok and he does have regular check ups. I am worried though that there could be something else going on that the dog is picking up on. I don't think I could say anything directly. It just doesn't feel right in the circumstances. I guess it feels a bit trivial (I'm not entirely sure that's the right word to use) in the bigger scheme.

Could be a problem with his prostate? It's very common in the older gent and they don't like to discuss it.

He's a young guy belle, but I guess it could still be that.

Best that he gets it checked out. Testicular cancer can cause limping also.

Wouldn't you crap yourself if the death cat came and sat on your bed? Perhaps that's what killed the old folk

Golly I remember at the time the story came out that some people said the same thing!
You'd be pretty wary of him hanging around wouldn't you

My friend has 'adopted' a cat. The cat used to wait outside the toilet whenever she went for a poop, never waits for anyone else. She was diagnosed with bowel cancer late last year.

Golly that made me giggle. I'd hide myself in a cupboard or at the very least kill the damn cat.

Belle, that' spooky and very sad. Seriously, I had a cat that following a one night stand with a really nice bloke shat in my bed, under the duvet - what was that all about! The cat not the bloke.

I know what you mean about it seeming 'trivial' oopsa, because it's not accepted medical science it might seem a bit of a 'woo' suggestion.

Is it possible for you to tell someone who knows him and can say it?

Either that or just be totally open and tell him you feel uncomfortable saying it but it's been playing on your mind and you can't just leave it.

For such caring reasons I'm sure he wouldn't think you were out of order or overstepping a boundary.

The cat was angry with you. My neighbours cat used to do this if she went away for the weekend.

My friend's very young, only in her mid 20s. She's almost finished treatment now. Had no symptoms at all apart from bloating.