Mushing is more than a sport, for people who participate, it is a lifestyle; the needs of the dogs are paramount.
It is also a very inclusive activity, as men and women can compete in the same event on equal footing. For children, it is a great way to be active outdoors and with dogs. For those who cannot have large kennels and large teams for long distance events, there is the option for ski-joring, and small teams for fun as well as sprint racing. For those who live in warmer climates, dryland events such as canicross, bikejoring, scooters and carts allow the same ability to have fun running with your dogs. The information on this page can be informative for both mushers and veterinarians interested in sled dogs.
Sled dog care both on and off races is also continually being scrutinized to improve the dogs health and well-being. Several organizations in different countries have developed codes of practice for how to best care for the dogs both in kennels and during races.
Veterinary Codes of Practice:
General Principles
- No drugs or artificial means may be used to drive a dog or cause a dog to perform or attempt to perform beyond its natural ability, or to mask underlying illness or injury.
- Mushers may not inject any substance into their dogs.
- No injectable, oral, or topical drug which may suppress the signs of illness or injury may be used in a dog.
- The administration of any substance to a dog orally, by syringe, by needle, or similar device (basting) by a musher is prohibited unless otherwise prescribed by an attending race veterinarian.
- Personal prescriptions written for and carried by the mushers may not be used on the dogs.
- To ensure the welfare, safety and health of the dog, race veterinarians may utilize any of the below listed drugs or other prohibited drugs necessary to maintain a dog’s health; however, such use requires that the dog be withdrawn from the race.
- The use of local or general anesthetics will not be allowed in any form unless the dog is withdrawn from the race or unless otherwise directed by a race veterinarian.
- The use of needles, including those for acupuncture, are prohibited, along with the use of EMNs, TENS, therapeutic laser or therapeutic ultrasound devices.
- Although some medications may be allowed during competition to maintain dogs in good health, continued research should be done to determine factors in races that may predispose dogs to needing treatment, and thereby allowing races to change to minimize and eventually eliminate the need to use medications.
- The guiding principle is to minimize the use of medications in racing dogs. The lists below are meant to be guidelines, but the absence of mentioning a specific drug does not mean it is allowed. For competitors, questions regarding the use of specific medications should be addressed to the race Chief Veterinarian as described for the supervised medications below.
List of Prohibited Substances for Dogs
The use of the substances (and their metabolites) belonging to the following drug classifications is prohibited in sled dogs during competition.
- Alcohol
- Anesthetics (e.g., local, topical, and general)
- Analgesics (prescriptive and non-prescriptive)
- Antibiotics other than as noted on Supervised List or as approved by the Chief race veterinarian.
- Anticholinergics
- Antihistamines
- Anti-inflammatory drugs including but not limited to:
- Corticosteroids (including but not limited to glucocorticoids) other than topicals as noted on Controlled List
- Antiprostaglandins
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs – NSAID – (including but not limited to aspirin and other salicylates)
- DMSO
- Immunosuppressives or immunomodulators including but not limited to cyclosporine, oclacitinib, and similar medications
- Bronchodilators
- Cough suppressants
- Diuretics
- GI (gastrointestinal) motility modifiers including loperamide, any medication containing salicylates, diphenoxylate or atropine
- Anti-emetics (e.g., metoclopramide, maropitant/Cerenia, ondansestron, dolasestron, etc.)
- Muscle relaxants (e.g., methocarbamol, etc.)
- Sedatives, tranquilizers, and narcotics including but not limited to:
- anti-epileptics – phenobarbital, potassium bromide, and others like imepitoin
- barbiturates
- opiates and opioids
- opioid-like drugs (e.g., tramadol)
- Stimulants (specified and non-specified, including caffeine and theobromine)
- Hemp oil/ CBD or other cannabinoids either topically or systemically
Substances having the same effect as those listed herein.
List of Supervised Substances for Dogs
A musher medicating a dog with any of the substances listed below requires approval by the Chief Race Veterinarian for the event and be noted in the event’s musher journal (if applicable).
- Antibiotics administered orally.
- If antibiotic treatment must be initiated on a dog prior to an event, the musher must provide a written statement from the treating veterinarian indicating the diagnosis and treatment. Upon review of the statement and examination of the dog, the Race Veterinarian has the right to prevent the dog from competing depending on the medical condition of the dog or on local Animal Welfare Laws. It is recommended that the Athlete contact the Race Veterinarian in advance of the event.
- Topical eye, foot, or wound ointments or drops containing antibiotics may be allowed after evaluation of the Dog by the Race Veterinarian.
- Topical eye or foot medications containing low levels of corticosteroids may be allowed for specific medical reasons by the Race Veterinarian.
- Antiulcer medications: H2 antagonists and proton pump inhibitors may be allowed if permitted by the Chief Race Veterinarian or race rules.
- Thyroid hormone supplements may be given orally but the musher must provide a written statement from the treating veterinarian indicating the diagnosis and dosage of treatment. Please note that racing husky sled dogs and greyhounds have lower thyroid hormone levels as compared to other breeds of dogs (see Research articles).
- Reproductive hormones, related substances, and their releasing factors, antagonists, modulators and related substances for estrous cycle suppression.
- The administration to spayed bitches of estrogenic substances under veterinary prescription, if required to avoid urinary incontinence. The musher must provide a written statement from the treating veterinarian indicating the diagnosis and treatment.
- The use of all reproductive hormones must be initiated at least 28 days prior to racing to allow for appropriate observation of the dog to ensure that there are no adverse side effects on the dog’s health.
The use of any other drug not included on this list and deemed necessary for the health of the dog by the musher’s veterinarian will be reviewed on a case by case basis by the Chief Veterinarian(s).
Supplement Use in Dogs
Mushers may administer the following compounds to their dogs orally however it is recommended to check with their veterinarian or a race veterinarian prior to use: Vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, enzymes, probiotics, and any dietary supplements marked as such, provided that these compounds are maintained in their original containers with labels indicating their contents.
The use of topical salicylate-containing compounds (e.g. wintergreen oil, etc.) may be prohibited as these contain salicylates/aspirin-like compounds. In addition, care should be taken with the use of topical essential oils including tea tree oil, as in pure form (90-100% pure) these may be toxic if ingested in small amounts, for example by a dog licking where the oil was applied. They may also cause respiratory tract irritation so should not be used in high concentrations close to the face or nose.
Due to the potential for adverse side effects if these supplements are not used properly, the Chief Race Veterinarian should be consulted. The use of herbal and homeopathic medications, tonics, oral pastes and products of any kind, the ingredients and quantitative analysis of which are not known in detail is not recommended, as it may result in race-enhancement and positive drug tests. Many of these products can contain one or more prohibited substances. For example, many homeopathic or herbal tinctures may have an alcohol base or aspirin-like compound. The use of an herbal or natural product may result in a positive test result, contrary to the claim by the manufacturer or marketing agent. For example, many pharmacologically potent and readily detectable forbidden substances are obtained from plants (e.g., salicylates, digitalis, reserpine, cocaine, heroin and marijuana) all have their origin in plants and may be regarded as serious rule violations. This warning is common to all major canine regulatory authorities.
Be aware of flavored supplements, so as not to contain substances like cacao powder or green tea, because their metabolites could cause a positive on a doping test.
Testing for Prohibited Substances
The race event Board of Directors or appropriate race rules governing body reserves the right to collect blood and/or urine samples, at the discretion of the Chief Veterinarian(s), at random, any time commencing from the official Vet Check to the beginning of the awards ceremony of the respective race. The musher or handler designated by the musher must assist the veterinarian or the drug testing personnel in collecting samples whenever requested.
If blood or urine testing of a dog reveals any of the prohibited drugs in the dog, this rule has been violated regardless of when such drugs were administered to the dog
Sleg Dog Healthcare Guidelines
- Dogs must be maintained in good condition.
- All water and food must be ingested voluntarily.
- Adequate bedding must be provided.
- There will be no cruel or inhumane treatment of dogs. Cruel or inhumane treatment involves any action or inaction, which causes preventable pain or suffering to a dog, including refusal of appropriate treatment.
- Appropriate rest for the dogs.
- Appropriate accommodation if dogs are kept in a car. In warm places, dogs resting in a car must have appropriate ventilation, and water available.
Using ISDVMA guidelines, the following vital signs are indicators of health problems, which would require the withdrawal of a dog from the race:
- 7% – 8% dehydration
- Heart rate 120 beats per minute or higher after 30 – 60 minutes of rest with or without a prolonged capillary refill time
- Lung sounds with evidence of edema, rales, or cough or evidence of increased respiratory rate and effort or dyspnea
- Hyperthermia or fever: Body temperature greater than 103F/39.4C after one hour of rest
- Hypothermia: a body temperature less than 99F Vomiting and/or non-responsive diarrhea with blood associated with weight loss or dehydration
- Severe lameness, especially of the shoulder
- Seizures
- Brown or red urine
- Lethargy or listlessness
Codes of Practice
