Diseases account for over 60% of non-productive losses in reindeer farming—animals die naturally, infect the rest of the herd and cannot be consumed or processed into useful products. This is discussed in the book Diseases of Reindeer by scientists E.S. Kazanovsky, V.P. Karabanov and K.A. Klebenson. The list of threats to the animals is extensive. These include diseases caused by insects, various parasites, necrobacteriosis, lung diseases, poisonings, injuries and subsequent infections along with complications that can easily kill a deer if not cared for promptly. Furthermore, some diseases can also pose a threat to humans. Anthrax, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease and brucellosis equally affect reindeer and their owners, posing a deadly epidemic threat to entire regions. Modern reindeer farming is impossible without a veterinarian, but finding one in the tundra is not easy.

Experts highlight the migratory nature of northern reindeer farming as a key issue. In other livestock sectors, the veterinarian's charges are frequently accessible (for example, free-ranging Angus bulls), or they simply stay in their stalls. However, reindeer and their owners embark on long journeys across the tundra, making them difficult to reach. Moreover, what can be done when you're in the middle of an endless plain with a hundred or so sick animals and potentially unwell owners? You have to take harsh, sometimes cruel measures that neither doctors nor patients appreciate.

To avoid such situations, veterinarians in the Russian Arctic now align their schedules with the seasonal migrations of nomadic reindeer herders, conducting mandatory herd vaccinations. At certain times of the year, nomads come relatively close to settlements, allowing for the setup of a portable corral and the deployment of a mobile base. Yes, specialists still have to venture into the tundra on all-terrain vehicles, but this is nothing compared to an emergency helicopter trip to the desolate wastelands of the Arctic Circle. For instance, in late April 2024 in Yamal, mobile medical teams conducted 80 thousand tests for brucellosis and vaccinated 90 thousand animals against anthrax. Three new mobile laboratories allowed work to be done on-site—previously, samples taken in tents only partially reached the research centres. However, it's impossible to cover all 630 thousand reindeer in one short stage, so Yamal veterinarians work from early spring through summer, 'catching' nomads at route intersections.

A mobile team also operates in the Murmansk Region, which managed to reach 22,573 animals by early April of the current year.

Another method of conducting sanitary and epidemiological measures is to attend a slaughter campaign. Veterinarians examine the meat, the condition of the animals and their by-products, creating a statistical picture of the region's epidemiological situation. In the Murmansk Region at the beginning of April, no contagious diseases were detected among the current livestock, but a large amount of heavy metals was found in by-products, liver and kidneys. These will naturally not be consumed, and doctors will investigate the issue.

However, all these measures still leave the question of emergency assistance to reindeer herders unanswered. The response time of even the fastest veterinary team can be several days—the unpredictable weather and vast distances in the Arctic spare no one. To enable herd owners to swiftly assist their animals, the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Area Government initiated a pilot project to distribute veterinary kits specifically designed for use in the tundra. To qualify, one must adhere to a traditional lifestyle, comply with farming regulations (such as regular vaccination and tagging of animals, tax payments, etc.) and maintain permanent residence within the region. The Area Veterinary Centre will distribute the kits free of charge on a one-time basis. Approximately RUB 42 mn has been allocated for the execution of this project. It is anticipated that modern medications and tools will enable owners to promptly treat their animals on-site, thereby preventing a potential catastrophe at its inception.