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Dog Senses Owner's Cancer Before Diagnosis
9 May
Summary
- A sausage dog alerted its owner to a cancer diagnosis.
- The dog exhibited unusual clingy behavior for two months.
- The owner was diagnosed with acute leukaemia in June 2024.
A woman from Manchester, Meg Jones, discovered her acute leukaemia diagnosis after her usually aloof dachshund, Samson, began exhibiting unusual clingy behavior. For two months leading up to her diagnosis in June 2024, Samson consistently wanted to lie on her stomach, a stark contrast to his usual detached nature.
Initially experiencing leg numbness and pain, Meg was diagnosed with sciatica. However, the persistence of symptoms and the appearance of a rash on her leg led her to seek further medical advice. Blood tests confirmed the acute leukaemia diagnosis, a fast-progressing cancer requiring immediate treatment.
Meg’s cancer went into remission in October 2024 but returned in July 2025. Following CAR T-cell therapy in November 2025, she has now been declared cancer-free. She now advocates for others to seek medical attention for unusual symptoms, sharing her experience online.
Reflecting on Samson's behavior, Meg realized his attentiveness was likely an indication of her illness, suggesting pets can sense such conditions. She also experienced other symptoms like night sweats, eczema, and unusual reactions to alcohol, which were later attributed to the cancer.
