Medical Training & First Aid

 

Group Leader- TC

Group Members- LM

                   AVB

                   TK

                   SC

 

          For our Alaska project Mr. Knight asked us to do a total of prices for things that a musher would need on the trail. We found great products on www.DrsFosterSmith.com, at a reasonable price. We got a lot of information on there as well as many other sites. For expenses for sled dog racing totals, this is what we came up with.

 

Expenses for sled dog racing

 

  1. sled- $1200
  2. sled bag-400
  3. cooker- 75
  4. booties- 200
  5. ax- 35
  6. sleeping bag- 275
  7. dog food- 75
  8. clothing- 800
  9. snow hook- 75
  10. dog coats- 400
  11. first aid kit- 39.99
  12. cut stop medication- 8.99
  13. leash- 15.99
  14. harnesses- 239.84

 

TOTAL- $3854.80

 

     This total that we figured out may not be totally true, because the prices will vary between products and number of dogs. Also this total does not include the fee you must pay in order to run the race, or the cost of the dogs.

 

     Medical is very important on the trail. At every checkpoint the dog must be checked to see if he/she is healthy and able to continue the race until the next checkpoint. Below are some pictures of the Iditarod trail map and some of the veterinarian stops.

   

Printable Iditarod Map

 

          On the map above it shows all of the checkpoints where each dog will be checked out. This is the procedure:

1.        collect all of the medical papers

2.        make sure all de-worming requirements have been completed

3.        make sure pre-race blood work is completed

4.        check pre-race ECGS test results

5.        examine drug test results

6.        As part of the physical exam-

hydration levels- dehydration must be less than 5%

body weight- must make sure body weight is in the right category for breed  standard and size

heart rate- the heart rate must be equal to or less than 120 beats per/min.(normal rhythm)

breaths per minute- normal rate

                   temperature 100.5 F to 102.5 F

                   mucous membrane exam- CTR test

                   locomotion exam- no lameness or stiffness of the joints

7.examine skin for flakiness and feet for proper nail care

8.examine posture for any spinal disorders

 

     Safety is very important on the trail which is why it is a good thing to take care of your dogs and yourself and have plenty of supplies with you so you are ready for anything!