Canines undergo pre-race tests

GENE JANSEN/For the Frontiersman

WASILLA - Before the March 5 start of the 2005 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, about 1,200 Nome-bound dogs will undergo blood tests, electrocardiograms and micro-chipping. The testing has increased the health care for the world-class canine athletes to an unprecedented level, according to the Providence Alaska Medical Center laboratory services department, and is an integral part of minimizing injuries and fatalities.

Blood testing

All Iditarod racing dogs must be blood tested by February to be eligible for the March 4 start. Complete lab results are sent to both the musher and the chief veterinarian of the race for review. The work-ups serve as valuable tools in the decision-making process as mushers determine which canine competitors are healthy enough to be chosen for their final Iditarod teams.

Planning for the blood collection and testing begins several months before the race. Iditarod veterinary technician Jan Bullock schedules a date, location and time for each musher to bring in dogs for blood samples, ECGs and, if necessary, computer chip identification.

"We try to make it as least stressful as we can," Bullock said.

From the testing, data are generated for each dog, including a musher's name, dog's name, dog's age, sex and microchip number, date of collection and other tests. The dog's white blood count is measured to help identify anomalies that may prevent them from successfully running the race.

The WBC refers to the number of white blood cells circulating in the blood and indicate the effectiveness of the individual's ability to fight infection and inflammation in the body, according to Providence's laboratory services department. Increased WBC may generally indicate problems with infection, inflammation or stress while low values may indicate blood loss or certain types of bone marrow disorders.

Micro-chipping

A dog-identifying computer chip is installed under the scruff of loose skin behind the dog's ear.

Microchipping is an integral part of monitoring the health of Iditarod-bound racers. It is also an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race requirement to have each dog numerically identified with an electronic imprint in order to track the dog's medical history, blood tests and other vital health information.

"It's a permanent identification for the dog," Bullock said at the Iditarod blood collection booth Monday afternoon. "It's like assigning them their own Social Security card.

Iditarod Trail Committee canine requirements

€ Micro-chipping for identification (provided by ITC)

€ Current vaccinations

€ Deworming within 10 days prior to start (provided by ITC)

€ Veterinary physical exams within 14 days prior to start

€ ECGs performed within 30 days prior to start (provided by ITC)

€ Blood work performed within 30 days prior to start (provided by ITC)

€ Dog care agreement forms.

Information from the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Web site, www.Iditarod.com, was used in this story.