HANDLER / MUSHER VETERINARY «IN RACE» GUIDEBOOK

HANDLER / MUSHER VETERINARY «IN RACE» GUIDEBOOK

1. DAILY PREVENTION... 3 - Snacking... 5 - Feeding... 6 - Hydratation... 8 - Warm up... 9 - Post run recovery... 10 - Feet care... 11 - Joints and muscles cares... 12 2. FIRST AID... 13 - Basic clinical examination... 15 - Restraining an injured dog... 21 - Cardio respiratory arrest... 22 - Heat stroke... 26 - Seizures and strokes... 27 - Bleedings... 28 - Bones and joints traumas... 30 - Eyes Traumas... 34 - Bloat... 35 - Poisoning... 36 - Diarrhea... 37 - Hypothermia... 38 - Frosbite... 39 3. TREATMENTS ADMINISTRATION... 41 - Tablets... 43 - Powder... 44 - Massages... 45 - Feet treatments... 47 - Wounds management... 48 - Eyes... 50 - Ears... 51 - Wirsts and shoulders... 52 1

Daily Prevention 3

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SNACKING 1. Snacks are necessary food supplement for racing sled dogs on medium/long distance races. 2. They must be adapted to the type of race trail (distance, speed, uphills ). Pure endurance : fatty snacks (1 kg of a 50/50 mix poultry fat/ coprah fat, 100g honey, 20 g L. carnitine) provided every 30-40 km, in a 50 g cube per dog. Resistance (uphill) : fatty meat or fish (1 kg of fatty meat, 100 g honey, 20 g L. carnitine), provided in a 50 g portin per dog. Speed : rice and fat (1 kg over cooked rice, 200 g coprah fat, 100 g honey, 20 g L. carnitine), provide every 30 km in a 50 g cube per dog. 3. Industrial dedicated snacks will be, if, if well designed, more efficient than home-made ones. 4. Dogs should be snacks 30 to 60 minutes prior to the start with an adapted formula (depending on the daily trail) and watered. 5. Dogs should be snacked 10 minutes after crossing the finish line with a dedicated snack (industrial or rice/honey/l. carnitine) in order to restore their muscle glycogen reserves 5

FEEDING 1. Food must be : - Highly concentrated in energy (over 4 500 Kcal/Kg) - Highly concentrated in quality Proteins (30p100 mini) and Fat (20p100 mini) - Highly palatable 2. Adapt quantity/quality to length of trail, weather conditions in order to maintain body weight and body condition score of 2 to 3. 1. On LGO : 3 000 to 4 500 Kcal/dog/day 2. Adding lean meat can help resistance 3. Adding fatty meat or pure fat adding helps endurance 6

3. Feed the dogs by dividing their daily ration in several parts. At least : 4. 25 p100 of the daily food provided 3 hours prior to the start 5. Main meal provided one hour after crossing the finish line (stress diarrhea prevention) 4. Provide food covered with warm water (hydration and palatability increase), except for dogs highly sensible to stress diarrhea. 5. Daily check of Body Condition Score (ask veterinarians for help). BCS1 BCS2 BCS3 BCS4 BCS5 6. If a dog refuses to eat for more than 2 hours after the end of the stage/race, ask for a race veterinarian. 7

HYDRATION 1. Check the hydration status regularly (see Basic Clinical Examination), especially after runs. 2. Cover the high water intake requirement during the race (at least 4 L [113 fl. oz.] per day and per dog [20 kg/44lbs]) 3. Always propose water in the hour prior to the race (can be done with snacks) and 10 minutes after the run. 4. Snow does not replace water (no electrolytes in snow). Avoid very cold water (cause of diarrhea/vomiting) 5. Dehydration (even slight) is a major cause of performance drop. Contact a race veterinarian if a dog refuses to drink or remains dehydrated 8

WARM UP 1. Warming up to the dog is essential to optimize performances and to prevent musculo-tendinous issues 2. Do not put the dogs out of the truck too early (to limit the pre-race stress) 3. Let the dogs defecate and urinate before the race. If possible, walk them all after for 5 minutes 4. Stretch and mass main muscles and mobilize joints before the run. The use of coats to keep them warm afterwards is useful. 5. As far as possible, limit jumps until the dog is not warm 9

POST RUN RECOVERY 1. Remove harnesses and booties 2. If possible, gently walk with dogs for 5 minutes 3. Propose water and give a snack within 10 minutes after the run 4. Put some straw on the stake out and coat to dogs (if necessary) 5. Feed main meal 1 to 2 hours after crossing the finishline 6. Mass and stretch the dog in the 2 hours following the run ; If a dog is injured, stiff, painfull, ask for a race veterinarian 10

FEET CARE 1. Use foot ointment after drying/cleaning the interdigits spaces. - Have you own foot ointment checked by a race veterinarian (respect of prohibited substances rules) - Ask for race provided foot ointment if necessary. 2. When the snow quality tends to build up snow balls, cut the fur between the fingers 3. Use of booties : - Avoid Cordura booties on icy-snow and ice(slippery) - Beware of booties size - Do not tie the velcros too tight - Always check the content of the booties after a run in deep powder-snow (risk of ice-balls inside the bootie) ; - Take off booties quickly after the run, especially in very cold weather. - Dry paws and interdigital spaces immediately after the run. 11

JOINTS AND MUSCLES CARE 1. Mass all muscles and joints after each run (with liniment if possible) 2. Stretch all joints after each run (with liniment if possible) 3. Put a strap on carpus if a bit swollen, or coat on the back or the shoulders, if necessary 4. If pain or swelling, contact a race veterinarian 12

First Aid 13

BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION If any abnormality, refer to first aid chapters and call a race veterinarian CONSCIOUSNESS 1. Call the dog by his name and clap your hands 2. Touch the dog 3. Pass hands in front of his eyes 4. If no reaction, check immediately breath and heart function AND call a race veterinarian in emergency 15

BREATHING BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION 1. Put your hands on chest and count movments per minute Normal resting respiration rate : 10-30 breaths per minute 2. Note any abnormal sounds : cough, whistling, squeezing, sneezing, etc 3. Note any abnormal movements or difficulties to breath 4. Check gums 5. Call race veterinarian if needed 16

BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION HEART FUNCTION 1. Put your hand under the left elbow and count beats per minute 2. Put your hands in the groin region, inside the hind leg and count beats per minute Normal resting heart rate : 60-100 beats per minute 3. Note any abnormal rhythm and call race veterinarian if necessary. 17

BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION GUMS EVALUATION 1 Check gum color : Pink = normal White = shock, haemorrhage, anaemia Brick red = over heating, inflammation, dehydration Blue = lack of oxygen Yellow = liver dysfunction or blood disease 2. Check capillary refill : Apply finger pressure to the gum until local white gum appears. Release your finger and count time until it returns to pink. Less than 2 seconds = normal 18

BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION HYDRATION 1. Eyes and gums must be humid. 2. Pinched skin on the back of the neck returns to normal position in less than 2 seconds 3. Normal urine : pale yellow color 19

BASIC CLINICAL EXAMINATION RECTAL TEMPERATURE 1. Normal resting temperature (20 minutes at least after exercise) : 38-39 C [100.4-102.2 F] 2. Never above 42 C [107.6 F], even immediately after exercise 3. If under 37.5 C [99.5 F], carefully follow 20

RESTRAINING AN INJURED DOG 4. Never muzzle a dog who suffers of : - Heat stroke - Respiratory failure - Unconsciousness - Vomiting or blood in the mouth 1. Approach an injured dog slowly and cautiously 2. If you have a muzzle, put it ON 3. If you don t have a muzzle, make one with a strip (pictures) - Tie over nose - Tie under chin - Tie around neck, knot behind head 21

CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST - Call IMMEDIATELY a race veterinarian - Find at least 2 people to help you - If you are alone, start cardiac resuscitation first A. AIRWAY 1. Remove the collar 2. Put the neck in extension 3. Open the mouth, check if you have a foreign body in the throat 4. If any foreign body is found, try to expulse it : - Put the dog on his front legs - Press strongly under his chest 22

CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST B. BREATHING 1. Check the respiratory rate 2. If no movements, pull the tongue 3. If no improvement : - close the dog mouth - place your mouth over the over nose - breath into his nose enough so you see his chest move (one insufflation every 10 seconds) 23

CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST C. CIRCULATION 1. Check the heart rate 2. If no beats : - Lay the dog on its right side - Begin strong compressions over the heart with your palm (100 compressions per minute) 3. Check the heart pulse in the groin region, inside the hind leg. If no pulse, make stronger compressions 24

CARDIO RESPIRATORY ARREST D. SURVEY 1. As soon as possible, put a survival blanket ON 2. Every 2 minutes, stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 10 seconds to see if spontaneous movements start 3. If no improvement within 20 minutes, stop cardiopulmonary resuscitation definitely 4. If spontaneous movements reappear, carefully check heart and respiratory rates. 25

HEAT STROKE 1. Symptoms : rectal temperature over 42 C [107.6 F], high respiratory rate, brick red gums, collapse, seizures 2. Cool down the dog with snow (especially on the back of neck, then everywhere). 4. Monitor rectal temperature (you may find hypothermia) and other vital parameters. 5. Stop to cool down when temperature is below 39 C [102.2 F] 6. If the dog is conscious, propose some water (200 ml) every 5 minutes, NOT COLD 7. Call a race veterinarian in emergency, even if the dog seems better 26

SEIZURES AND STROKES 1. Symptoms : possible loss of consciousness, involuntary shaking of all (or a part) of the body, delayed reactions 2. Remove the dog from the team 3. Avoid all kind of stimulation : if possible, 6. Put the dog in the dark, even with a single tee-shirt on the head 7. Put the dog in a quiet place 8. Then don t touch the dog 4. Check vital parameters (see Basic Clinical Examination) 5. Call a race veterinarian in emergency 27

BLEEDINGS A. EXTERNAL BLEEDING 1. Symptoms : blood flows from a wound 2. Check vital parameters 3. Compress with a clean material strongly over the source of bleeding for 5 minutes at least, EXCEPT if you see a foreign body in the wound (never remove it), or if you suppose a fracture under the wound Ice can help to reduce bleeding (vasoconstriction) 4. If direct compression is impossible (or not efficient), compress above the wound (see pictures) 5. If you have to transport the dog, or are unable to maintain long time compression, put a tourniquet above the wound. Remove it every 10 minutes for 5 seconds. 28

BLEEDINGS B. INTERNAL BLEEDING 1. Symptoms : white gums, possible difficulties to breath, possible liquid in the abdomen, possible bleeding from the nose/ mouth/ rectum/ears/ penis/vulva 2. Check vital parameters 3. Immediately present the dog to a race veterinarian Put the dog in a survival blanket 29

BONES AND JOINTS TRAUMAS A. TRAUMAS 1. Symptoms : pain, redness, swelling, warm of a part of the body without any abnormal movement. Possible wound/abrasion 2. Check vital parameters 3. Restrain the mouth of the dog 4. If there is a wound, see wound management section 5. If no wound, put a cold pack (or ice in a bag) for 15 minutes. Protect the skin with a towel 6. Call a race veterinarian 30

BONES AND JOINTS TRAUMAS B. CLOSED FRACTURES 1. Symptoms : lameness, swelling, pain, abnormal movements of a bone or a joint, no wounds 2. Check vital parameters 3. Restrain the mouth of the dog 4. Put a bulky bandage and a splint (branch for example) if possible, and block joints under and above the fracture 5. Avoid weight bearing on this leg. Carry carefully the dog if he can t walk 6. Call a race veterinarian 31

BONES AND JOINTS TRAUMAS Rk : VERTEBRAL ISSUE 1. Symptoms : paralysis of hindlegs and possibly frontlegs, no reaction when you pinch between paws 2. Check vital parameters 3. Ask for a race veterinarian to come, or carry the dog very carefully after blocking the vertebral axis to prevent additional spinal trauma 32

C. OPEN FRACTURES 1. Symptoms : lameness, swelling, pain, abnormal movements of a bone or a joint under a wound. Bone is not always visible 2. Check vital parameters 3. Restrain the mouth of the dog 4. Clean and disinfect the wound copiously (see wound management) and protect it with a soft bandage 5. If a foreign body knocks in the wound, do not remove it 6. Put a thick bandage and an splint (branch for example) if possible and block joints under and above the fracture 7. Avoid weight bearing on this leg. Carry carefully the dog if he can t walk 8. Call a race veterinarian 33

EYES TRAUMAS 1. Symptoms : blinking, closed eye, discharge from eye, possible swelling, red ocular mucosa, dog tries to rub the affected eye 2. Put the dog in a place protected from wind 3. If the dog is not too painful, try to open the eye Do not touch the eye with fingers 4. Do not remove a foreign body sticked in the eye 5. Clean copiously the eye with a saline solution or an ophtalmic solution. Do not use any disinfectant 6. Protect the eye with a large humid bandage and put an elisabethan collar (or cover the paws with a bootie) to prevent further damage 7. Call a race veterinarian 34

BLOAT 1. Symptoms : anxiety, tries to vomit, bloated and painfull abdomen, dyspnoea 2. Call race veterinarian (vital emergency) 3. Try to free gastric gas by introducing a flexible rubber tube (15 mm diameter) in the oesophagus as shown (length) on picture 4. If any blockage stop tubing immediately 5. Once tube is in the stomach, gently press the abdomen to evacuate gas 35

POISONING 1. Symptoms : very variable, exhaustion, fever, diarrhea, vomiting, loss of conscious, neurological issue, heart failure 2. Check vital parameters 3. Identify as quick as possible the toxic when possible 4. If it is a non-caustic agent and the absorption of the toxic is less than 2 hours, try to induce vomiting : - Administer in the mouth 20 ml of hyper salted water or hydrogen peroxide - Wait for 15 minutes for vomiting 5. Call immediately a race veterinarian 36

DIARRHEA 1. Symptoms : Liquid stools, possible presence of blood. May quickly lead to severe dehydration without treatment 2. Make notes of color, presence of blood, parasites or other foreign body in the diarrhea 3. Check dehydration, rectal temperature 4. Give a gastrointestinal protectant (Smectite for example). Do not give drugs that affect intestinal motility or antibiotics before seeing a vet 5. Increase water intake to prevent dehydration 6. Reduce the amount of food per meal and increase the number of meals per day 7. Call a race veterinarian if it lasts more than 12 hours or if you see blood/fever/exhaustion 37

HYPOTHERMIA 1. Symptoms : rectal temperature under 37.5 C [99.5 C], possible shivering and lethargy/coma 2. Carefully check the rectal temperature 3. Warm the dog (survival blanket, friction) 4. Call a race veterinarian HYPOTHERMIA 38

FROSTBITE 1. Very sensitive area : teats, nipples, testicles, scrotum, flanks, vulva, penis, toes (booties too tight) 2. Clean and disinfect the wound 3. Warm up the frostbite (except for testicles) at a temperature of 38 c 4. Protect the wound against cold with fat cream and cover if possible 5. Do not warm frozen testicles (very painful) 6. Call a race veterinarian 39

Treatments Administration 41

TABLETS 1. Put tablets in the food or in a piece of meat 2. If dog refuses to eat the tablet, put it directly in the mouth as shown above 3. Then gently caress under the throat in order to make the dog swallow or put some water in his mouth 4. Never crash a tablet before giving (decrease of drug efficiency) 43

POWDER 1. ut powder in the food 2. If dog refuses to eat the food, dilute powder is some water, use a syringe of 20 ml [0.7 fl.oz] and put it directly in the mouth as shown above 44

MASSAGES / STRETCHING 1. Pass gently your hands on the area for 2 minutes 2. Put ointment if necessary 3. Press stronger the area from down to up (in the direction of the heart) until you feel tissue relaxation (at least 5 minutes) 4. Finish by passing your hands on the area for 2 minutes (after stretching if required) 45

MASSAGES / STRETCHING If stretching required: 1. Practice 10 flexions/ extensions of joints 2. Block each movement for 10 seconds in extreme positions. 46

POST-RUN FEET TREATMENTS 1. Dry up the foot with paper towel 2. Put foot ointment between toes 3. If pad defects, patch with glue a piece of moleskine/second skin plaster on the abrasion 4. If a nail is broken and bleeding, put some glue on it to stop bleeding. Glue a nail cap if necessary 5. In any case, booty up (use respirable fleece) 47

WOUNDS MANAGEMENT A. HARNESS WOUNDS 1. Remove the harness 2. Dry and clean the wound 3. Put healing cream 48

WOUNDS MANAGEMENT B. OTHERS WOUNDS 1. Cut hair around wounds (except for very superficial ones) 2. Clean the wound (physiological serum) 3. Disinfect the wound (Betadine or Chlorhexidine) 4. Put healing cream without antibiotics 5. If any doubt (wide or deep wound), call a race veterinrian 49

EYES 1. Spread the eyelids 2. Put drops of an ophtalmic solution (or physiological serum or boiled water) on the eyes 3. Remove the surplus under the eye with a compress under the eye 4. If you have to put an ophtalmic cream : apply and mass the eye with the eyelids to spread the cream around 50

EARS 1. Put some drops or cream in the ear 2. Mass the ear basis 3. Allow the dog to squeeze his head 4. Dry the ear with a compress 5. Never use coton swab 6. If any treatment for otitis : put the treatment in 15 min after cleaning the ear as indicate above. 51

WRISTS AND SHOULDERS 1. Check every wrists and shoulders after run 2. If painfull or swollen, have the dog checked by a veterinarian 3. Use prescripted ointment and slightly massage the affected zone 4. Use wrist-wraps or shoulder-wraps in order to keep the joint warm. 52

HANDLER / MUSHER VETERINARY «IN RACE» GUIDEBOOK Authors (2012) : Professor Dominique GRANDJEAN Doctor Delphine CLERO Doctor Artem ROGALEV Copyright :