How Healthy Are These Dogs?

With the Iditarod fast approaching, it's important that each of the dogs are healthy and fit as possible. However, we can only tell so much from running the dogs and thoroughly looking them over. That's where the Iditarod vet checks come in.

Last Tuesday, all the dogs took a trip to the vet to have their blood drawn, EKGs performed, and microchips checked/implanted. Once collected, the blood is sent to Providence Laboratory in Anchorage where -after over 15 tests-technicians and medical technologists analyze the results. The veterinarians consider each individual dog's age, sex, and blood results then alert us to any abnormalities. Luckily, the results come with a "blood test for dumbies" reference sheet so that even I have a general idea of the significance of a Albumin level of 3.1.

Rambler having his EKG test. Not all the dogs are as cooperative and lie still on the table.