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Dog Care Facts
In Iditarod it’s all about the dogs and it takes happy healthy dogs to reach peak performance. Any racing musher will tell you that healthy happy dogs are the basis for success and good dog care is the pathway to having healthy happy dogs. If that’s true for Alaskan Huskies, would the same be true …
Iditarod dogs are the healthiest of the healthy dogs on the planet. The health care they receive before and during the race is second to none. Stuart Nelson, DVM is the Chief Veterinarian for Iditarod. During pre-race physicals and out on the trail he is assisted by forty-five other Veterinarians specially trained in the science …
In the fall, after the boys who live in the big house begin school, we dogs all jump into our boxes on the dog truck and head over to the vet with Musher and Handler. It’s a fun trip. Dr. Becky is always happy to see us and we’re happy to see her. She really …
Team Baker, both John Baker and Katherine Keith bootie in a similar and very unique manner. The dog lays on its back and extends all four feet into the air. The musher slips the booties on and secures the elastic velcro all while looking at the belly and chest for harness rub. Kill two birds …
A short distance from the checkpoint is the hub for dropped dogs. Dogs dropped at smaller checkpoints are flown to this hub via bush plane. From here the dropped dogs are loaded onto a larger plane and flown to Anchorage. Currently there are about 130 canine athletes waiting to show their boarding pass for the …
It’s the harness that connects the dog power to the sled and there are a variety of harnesses out there. Mikhail Telpin uses a harness called the half harness. It’s really a musher, dog choice as to what harness is used. This style harness is good for preventing harness rub. It’s also sometimes used for …
As Iditarod mushers and vets, we understand that all responsible dog owners know the basics behind good dog care. Providing your dog with the right food and a healthy balanced diet is an important aspect of keeping him healthy. So is regular vet care, clean and dry living quarters, plenty of fresh water, lots of …
PROVIDE A PROTECTED AND CLEAN LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR DOG. Shelter from the elements and hazards, as well as good hygiene, are basic to a quality life. ALWAYS KEEP FRESH WATER AVAILABLE. Maintaining optimal hydration is important for health and energy. FEED A QUALITY DIET AND PREVENT OBESITY. Overweight humans and animals can adversely …
Iditarod 2013 is just around the corner, and my volunteer veterinarians are gearing up for the big event! Of a total staff of approximately 50 veterinarians, most will serve as “trail” veterinarians . These individuals will have a number of responsibilities at checkpoints along the race route. Of course, their primary focus will be on …
Dog care is an extremely important aspect of the race and two very important concepts are vital to accomplishing the highest level. It begins with education. Valuable knowledge has been gained through shared years of experience and many proactive research studies. Education of mushers and trail veterinarians provides necessary information with which to make the …