Vets recommend antacids for dogs (CBC North - February 16, 2009)

But even in good conditions, sled dogs can suffer from some serious physical conditions — including stomach ulcers — from running long distances.

So this year, Yukon Quest veterinarians are encouraging mushers to give their dogs antacids to help avoid ulcers.

"The whole goal of this particular race is all about the dogs, trying to keep the dogs as healthy as possible," Bernadine Cruz, a race veterinarian, told CBC News.

"So if we can do anything preventative to keep them healthy, it's great. It's a medication that's easy to give, usually [we] just give it once a day.

Musher Jon Little said his dogs took part in a medical study earlier this year, to test two antacid drugs that are usually given to humans.

"It was a 300-mile study. We ran four 75-mile legs and some research veterinarians were testing Prilosec versus Pepcid," he said.

Prilosec came out as the winner, and Little said that's what he will be giving his dogs during the Yukon Quest.

"It's an important issue. It's probably the leading cause of dog deaths in ... distance sled-dog racing," said Little.

The Yukon Quest also allows the controversial substance DMSO to be applied to joint and tendon injuries suffered by dogs (this substance is banned by the Iditarod and the Ontario Federation of Sled Dog Sports).