PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Dogs have an incredible sense of smell and can sometimes use scent to detect health problems in humans.
But it turns out humans can also use scent to identify potential health problems in dogs.
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Citing “Your Dog,” a newsletter from Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Pennsylvania SPCA Animal Advocate Carol Erickson shared signs that indicate it's time to see a veterinarian.
- Diabetic dogs may have a sweet odor on their breath
- If your dog's breath smells like ammonia, it could be a sign of kidney disease.
- Oral tumors and cavities in your dog's mouth can cause bad breath.
- If the odor gets stronger or smells like rotting fish, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may be cleared up with antibiotics.
- Increased urination and discomfort in your dog can also be symptoms of a urinary tract infection
- If you notice a fermented odor coming from your dog's ears, it could be a sign of a yeast infection.
- If your dog's ears are infected with bacteria, they will smell sweet.
Related: Pet Project: Humans can read facial expressions in dogs, research suggests
You can watch Erickson's full interview in the video player above. Stay tuned for a look at some of the animals available for adoption at the PSPCA at the end of the interview.
