Stay tuned for our next adventure in 2026! Highlights of the 2024 Kiruna Conference will be posted here, on our website and in our newsletter. Join us and as a member you will get discounts to program, seminars and our newsletter.
Thank you to everyone for a successful and interesting conference in Kiruna, Sweden.  It was the first time we hosted the event in a Scandinavian country, and we all cannot wait to come back! Being held in conjunction with the Kiruna Slädhundklubb Mushers Symposium allowed dedicated sled dog enthusiasts the opportunity for 4 days of learning, socializing, eating great food, and visiting vendors. Our conference venue at the Scandic Kiruna Hotel provided great facilities and delicious coffee breaks and lunches ( as well as breakfasts for those who stayed at the hotel also). It set a high bar for future conferences.Â
The ISDVMA section was two days of current research and important topics in sled dog medicine. Dr. Sarah Love did comprehensive discussions on myopathies and gastrointestinal diseases in working dogs. Dr. Heather Huson presented her most current research on sled dog genetics. We had two Doc Lombard Student Research Award winners to present their topics. Dr. Christina Kijan presented on genetics of malocclusion in huskies, and Dr. Samantha Sandwick presented on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system relating to rhabdomyolysis. It is always exciting to see the newest members of our profession present cutting edge research.
Thursday afternoon was dedicated to posters and abstracts on the current research, including pathology, infectious diseases, drug testing and more.  Additional research presented throughout the conference included Dr. Joe Bertone, with the correlation of medial canthal temperature and salivary cortisol, and Dr. Sergio Maffi, with research from the Finnmarksløpet Sled Dog Race. The panel discussion on returning dogs to work after injury inspired great.
A highlight was the Thursday evening banquet held at Nutti Sami Siida. Here, attendees had a brief tour of the open air Sami museum and got to meet and feed the resident reindeer. Afterwards, a delicious three course meal including local fish in the appetizer, reindeer, lingonberries, and potatoes for a main course, and cloudberries over ice cream for dessert.Â
The Kiruna Slädhundklubb continued the emphasis on sled dog health during their 2 day symposium, with experienced mushers presenting as well as several ISDVMA veterinarians. Â
A big thank you to everyone who helped make this conference a success. Dr. Anette Johannson was instrumental in helping us organize the conference from the other side of the ocean.
Discussions are taking place on where the 2026 conference will be held. Most likely it will be back in North America, as our goal is to rotate locations. Possibilities include in the Northeast part of the US or Canada. We all hope to see you in 2026 at the next Biennial ISDVMA Conference!
Pictures and highlights of ISDMVA October 3 – 6, 2024, Kiruna Sweden Biannual Meeting and Symposium:
Kiruna is located in the far North of Sweden, 67°50′56″N /20°18′10″E, 145 km (90 mi.) north of the Arctic Circle and nestled between her Scandinavian neighbors of Norway and Finland in the traditional lands of the Sámi (Saami,
Lappish).
Symposium Schedule Highlights from our October 2024 Biennial
Myopathies in working dogs – Dr. Sarah Love
Thermography and salivary cortisol on sled dogs in the Beargrease – Dr. Joe Bertone
Doc Lombard Student Research Award winner – “Genetics of malocclusion in Siberians” – Christina Kijan
Doc Lombard Student Research Award winner “Angiotensin-aldosterone, relation to Na/K balance and rhabdomyolysis in racing sled dogs” – Samantha Sandwick- Renin
Genetics of diet and new research in genetics of sled dogs – Dr. Heather Huson
Abstract presentations
(30 minutes each) Current research from around the world
Gait analysis in sled dogs – Dr. Jerome Vaneck
Bus to dinner and area tours
Heart murmurs – evaluation, when is it pathologic vs physiological, causes, variations Cardiac structural and ECG changes described in sled dogs, including sudden cardiac death. Angiotensin converting enzymes – sprint vs distance. Reports on CV anomalies described in sled dogs and clinical cases involving sled dog breeds – Dr. Lucia Ramera
BCS trends on Finnmarkslopet – Dr. Sergio Maffi
GI diseases in working dogs – Dr. Sarah Love
Fitness in retired sled dogs – Dr. Kim Henneman
Omega fatty acids in paw and joint health – Dr. Karoline Klepstad Faerevaag (Nextmune)
Diarrhea treatment – Dr. Karoline Klepstad Faerevaag (Nextmune)
Panel discussion – Returning dogs to work after injury – Drs. Sergio Maffi, Sarah Love, et al
Thank you to our 2024 Kiruna Program Sponsors:
A Global Companion in Pet Specialty Pharma