Going on instinct, family dog detects low blood sugar in Greenwood Acres owner

CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF

GREENWOOD ACRES – Babe, a golden Labrador, is somewhat of a health hound, according to her owners.

Doug and Jean Aston said the 14-year-old family pet sniffs out potential health complications by alerting Doug Aston when he needs to test his blood-sugar levels.“She pushes right there on my legs,” he said, pointing out the spot.

Aston, who has diabetes and hypoglycemia, believes Babe’s actions are more than just playful nudging because each time, the test comes back positive, prompting him to treat his medical condition.

Aston, 81, has treated himself for diabetes since he was a child.

People with diabetes typically manage hypoglycemia (low blood-sugar levels) with diet or medication.

Symptoms of an oncoming episode include confusion, dizziness, weakness, trembling, racing pulse and anxiety. Without treatment, more severe symptoms can develop such as poor coordination, unconsciousness, numbness in the mouth and tongue and coma.

Since Babe is not trained as a medical-service dog, instinct could be what prompts her to respond to health cues from her owner.

The Astons’ veterinarian told them their pet more than likely senses a chemical and physiological changes in her owner, prompting her to issue her health warning.

“She is something else,” Ashton said.

Babe started her purposeful practice 11 years ago, her owner said.

At 3 years, Babe’s actions once prevented her master from possibly lapsing into a dire state as his sugar levels took a dangerous dive while he slept on his recliner in the living room.

“She jumped square in my face. I didn’t know what was happening,” he said. “I couldn’t do anything.”

Aston was semi-conscious when he realized his dog had hopped on his chair, began licking his face with a sense of urgency, launched into the bedroom, where his wife was sleeping, and barked until she woke up.

“I got out of bed and came in here. (Babe) came up to the side (of his chair), and I saw what was the matter,” Jean Aston said of her husband, who she found shaking, sweating and disoriented. “I took care of him. We got to noticing after that, when Doug would be out in the shop working, she would nudge him.”

Doug Aston began responding to Babe’s action by testing his blood sugar and seeking treatment.

“There’s time now, she licks his hand to tell him at night. She is still able to tell us,” Jean Aston said “We praise her. We thank her, and we tell her how proud we are of her. The older she gets, she doesn’t catch them all, but she caught the biggest one.”

connie@thepicayune.com