Necropsy: Sled Dog's death consistent with aspiration pneumonia

A gross necropsy ordered for a sled dog from the team of Katherine Keith has been completed.The dog, Blondie, a 5-year-old male died early Thursday morning after it had been dropped at Koyuk from her race team.

According to a release sent Saturday morning, "The cause of death was consistent with aspiration pneumonia."

Race officials said additional testing will be done to complete the necropsy study.

Blondie is the only dog to die on the Iditarod trail during the 2018 race.

In 2017, Flash, a 4-year-old male from Keith's team, died of acute aspiration pneumonia shortly before arriving in Koyuk.