Dog Care

Veterinary Codes of Practice

General Principles for Dogs in Competition

• 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listed drugs or other prohibited drugs necessary to maintain a dog’s health; however, such use requires that the dog be withdrawn from the race.
• The use of local or general anesthetics will not be allowed in any form unless the dog is withdrawn from the race or unless otherwise directed by a race veterinarian.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.

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).

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

Codes of Practice

Mush With P.R.I.D.E. – Sled Dog Care Guide

VKM Risk Assessment

BC Sled Dog Code of Practice

CFSD Sled Dog Code of Care

IFSS Animal Health and Welfare Committee

NZ Code of Welfare