Veterinarians at Dawson City
The 36hour layover in Dawson gives each handling team the time to massage any muscle stiffness in their canine athletes, and to provide plenty of food and water with lots of tender loving care to each resting animal. Here, the handlers serve as an integral link between the resting mushers and the attending veterinarians as the dogs enjoy their extended recuperation, rest, and relaxation. Veterinary oversight and support are integral parts of the race, not just at Dawson, but from before the start, when the prerace exams are performed, to after the finish line.
This is not the first time in the race without having had complete physical exam on each of his or her dogs. This requires veterinary assessment of each dogs circulatory system, including heart rates and sounds hydration status and body weight respiratory sounds gastrointestinal tract attitude and appetite and last but not least, thorough orthopedic exam. Dawson City also is the only checkpoint where the doghandlers are allowed to take care of the dogs and the mushers.
Race Rules The Race in Action Race History & Background Mission Statement and Philosophy Directors and Staff Yukon Quest Trail Map and Elevations Distance Chart Sign up for ELetter Sled Dogs in the North The Modern Sled Dog Sled Dog and Musher Teams Veterinary Program Letter from Head Veterinarian Excellence in Sled Dog Care The Mathematics of Mushing The Prerace Veterinary Sled Dog Exams Canine Foot Care The Use of Massage in Sled Dogs LAFing at Sled Dog Team Water, Water, Everywhere Matters of the Heart Alaska Information & Links Junior Yukon Quest Yukon Quest Musher Hall of Fame All Musher Participants
Dawson City also is the only checkpoint where the doghandlers are allowed to take care of the dogs and the mushers. Veterinarians at Dawson City, and the other checkpoints, also examine each dog to address the mushers observations of the dogs performance on the trail, sometimes in harsh conditions with severe cold, and looking around curiously, wagging their tails happily, barking at other dogs, and simply being the wonderful canine athletes that they are.. Each member of every dog team arriving at the Yukon Quests Dawson City checkpoint is thoroughly examined by the Yukon Quest trail veterinarians.
No tags for this post.