binky571
"Does anyone know of a doctor or facility that has dogs available who can sniff out PD? In the past, dogs have been trained to sniff cancer or seizures. I believe I have very early PD, based in acting out dreams and my right arm no longer swinging, but cannot get diagnosed from the way I move."
Hi Binky571, It is true that dogs can sniff out PD. Researchers have found that dogs have 300 million smell receptors in their noses compared to our mere five million.[1]. In Washington state, there are ongoing studies by the Parkinson’s Canine Detection Project, on dogs trained to sniff for Parkinson's Disease. [2]. However, going to a Neurologist that specializes in Parkinson's Disease, might be the first medical person I would contact. Good luck! Marc M., Moderator, ParkinsonsDisease.Net
[1] "Dogs Could Sniff Out Parkinson’s Years Before Symptoms".Parkinson's Life, July 12, 2017. https://parkinsonslife.eu/dogs-could-sniff-out-parkinsons-symptoms/
[2] " These Dogs Are Trained to Detect the Smell of Parkinson’s Just by Sniffing a Tee Shirt". by McKinley Corbley. Feb 4, 2018. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/dogs-trained-detect-smell-parkinsons-just-sniffing-tee-shirt.
Hi,
Thanks so much for your response. I first saw a neurologist and then a MDS in 2018 when I realized I had a sleep disorder. They both noticed my right arm doesn’t swing. Yet I haven’t yet been diagnosed with PD —yet—since I lack motor symptoms. I’d love to get a head start if I do have it, and the dog sniff test sounds promising. Unfortunately there’s nothing like that available here in Chicago. Sincerely, Jo Peer-Haas