Systematic documentation of post-mortem findings from dogs that died while competing in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from 1993-2000 has contributed to the understanding of potentially life threatening clinical conditions of racing sled dogs. Close adherence to the standardized necropsy protocol has allowed correlation of post-mortem and clinical data and the recognition of medical conditions unique to the long-distance racing canine athlete. These data have been used to further educate trail veterinarians and musters to recognize dogs at risk for unexpected death events during competition.

The most accurate and complete records of race related dog deaths during the Iditarod are from 1994 to present with 12 documented deaths. Much has been learned from these deaths through cooperation and well-coordinated efforts of racing officials trail veterinarians, including pathologists and mushers. A by-product of the working partnership between musher and the veterinary staff has been improved health care and a greater awareness of race related, clinical conditions that are potentially life threatening to dogs. There continues however, to be inherent risks of injury and unavoidable dog deaths in the sport of sled dog racing.

Determination of cause of death is often difficult despite a complete post-mortem examination. Changes that are visible during the necropsy (gross lesions) as well as microscopically, may be numerous and varied and often too mild to be considered the cause of death. In dogs that died while in competition during the Iditarod from 1993–2000, lesions that were severe enough to be considered life threatening were associated with; trauma, aspiration pneumonia, excessive bleeding from gastric ulceration, hypothermia and severe muscle degeneration and necrosis (sled dog myopathy) and cardiac conduction system defects.

The inclusion of a trained veterinary pathologist on the veterinary staff of the Iditarod and other sled dog competitions, has assured that thorough, standardized post mortem examinations are performed in a timely fashion and that lesions are documented and information disseminated. The information that has been gained by the post-mortem examinations has been used to identify risk factors in racing dogs to minimize the occurrence of unexpected deaths. A coordinated and systematic post-mortem examination of racing sled dogs should be established for all competitions through involvement of trained pathologists. Careful documentation of lesions laboratory abnormalities and correlation with clinical signs and race conditions may further reveal important information that may be used to develop treatment or management protocols for subsequent races. Diseases and injury patterns may vary between races that differ in distance and racing conditions. Attempts should be made to maintain a centralized database of post-mortem findings and laboratory samples to be drawn upon by individuals investigating pathogenesis and etiology of sled dog diseases through scientific research.