What does a sled dog vet do?
Sled dog vets and vet techs brave the elements and subzero temperatures to ensure canine athletes are healthy and fit to race. Before every race, dogs are examined by a veterinary team to check their body condition, lung sounds, hydration, heart rate and rhythm, and overall health. Vets also monitor dogs for signs of lameness, pain, and discomfort. All dogs must be checked over by a vet before being given the ok to race. During the race, veterinary teams are available at checkpoints to examine any dogs that have been dropped from the race and are also prepared to respond to any emergencies that occur out on the trail.
Very few vets exclusively see sled dogs! During the off season, sled dog vets often work in sports medicine, rehabilitation, or small animal practice.
Very few vets exclusively see sled dogs! During the off season, sled dog vets often work in sports medicine, rehabilitation, or small animal practice.
Common trail ailments
Lameness: Abnormal gait or stance
Hypothermia: When a dog's rectal temperature drops below 99° F
Frostbite: Most commonly seen on extremities and unprotected hairless areas
Dehydration: Commonly assessed via skin tent
Exertional rhabdomyolisis: Breakdown of muscle that can be seen as brown colored urine
Diarrhea: Liquid stool
Bootie rub: Hairless, red, or irritated areas on the feet associated with wearing booties for an extended time
Harness rub: Hairless, red, or irritated areas caused by the harness moving across the dog's body
Soft tissue injuries: Strained/pulled muscles, torn/broken claws, trauma
Hypothermia: When a dog's rectal temperature drops below 99° F
Frostbite: Most commonly seen on extremities and unprotected hairless areas
Dehydration: Commonly assessed via skin tent
Exertional rhabdomyolisis: Breakdown of muscle that can be seen as brown colored urine
Diarrhea: Liquid stool
Bootie rub: Hairless, red, or irritated areas on the feet associated with wearing booties for an extended time
Harness rub: Hairless, red, or irritated areas caused by the harness moving across the dog's body
Soft tissue injuries: Strained/pulled muscles, torn/broken claws, trauma
Basic terminology
Musher: The person driving the dogs
Gee: Command to turn right
Haw: Command to turn left
Mush/hike/let's go: Command to start team
Whoa: Command to stop the team, combined with pressure on the brake
Come gee or come haw: Command for 180° turn in either direction
Lead dog: Dogs out at the front of the team
Swing dog: Dogs behind the leader, responsible for turning the team left or right
Wheel dog: Dog closest to the sled, does a lot of the pulling
Team dog: Any other dog on the team
Dropped dog: Dog removed from the team at a checkpoint, commonly due to medical injuries
Dog in a bag/basket: Tired or injured dog riding in the sled
Gee: Command to turn right
Haw: Command to turn left
Mush/hike/let's go: Command to start team
Whoa: Command to stop the team, combined with pressure on the brake
Come gee or come haw: Command for 180° turn in either direction
Lead dog: Dogs out at the front of the team
Swing dog: Dogs behind the leader, responsible for turning the team left or right
Wheel dog: Dog closest to the sled, does a lot of the pulling
Team dog: Any other dog on the team
Dropped dog: Dog removed from the team at a checkpoint, commonly due to medical injuries
Dog in a bag/basket: Tired or injured dog riding in the sled
Parts of the sled
Tow line: The main line connecting to the sled
Neck line: Line connecting the dog to the tow line and between two collars when using a double lead
Rigging: Collection of lines to which dogs are attached. Includes tow lines, tug lines, neck lines
Slats: Thin strips of wood that make up the bottom of a wooden sled basket
Snow hook or ice hook: Large piece of metal attached to the sled by a line. Embedded in the snow to hold the team in place for an extended period of time
Snub line: Rope attached to the sled that is used to tie the sled to trees or other objects
Stake: Wooden or metal post in the ground to which a dog is tied
Tug line: Line that connects the dog's harness to the tow line
Neck line: Line connecting the dog to the tow line and between two collars when using a double lead
Rigging: Collection of lines to which dogs are attached. Includes tow lines, tug lines, neck lines
Slats: Thin strips of wood that make up the bottom of a wooden sled basket
Snow hook or ice hook: Large piece of metal attached to the sled by a line. Embedded in the snow to hold the team in place for an extended period of time
Snub line: Rope attached to the sled that is used to tie the sled to trees or other objects
Stake: Wooden or metal post in the ground to which a dog is tied
Tug line: Line that connects the dog's harness to the tow line