470 British Dogs. 



At all events, never interfere too soon in any case of prolonged or 

 difficult parturition, and never let a pretentious fellow, ignorant of the 

 anatomy of the animal, interfere with force, as they are so apt to do. 



Treatment of the Suckling Bitch. For the first few days the food should 

 consist of strong broth, bread and milk, oatmeal porridge and milk, and 

 such like food, with but very little meat, and all should be given slightly 

 warm. From the first, however, well boiled paunch, being easy of diges- 

 tion and assimilation, may be given, and one or two meals of boiled 

 bullock's liver is beneficial, acting mildly on the bowels. 



On the day after pupping she should be enticed out or taken out for a 

 short time, that she may empty herself, and she should then be offered 

 food, and each day she should be kept a little longer from the pups, as 

 the exercise taken is necessary and beneficial to her, and increases her 

 milk. She will, as the pups grow, require more food, which should be given 

 oftener and contain a larger proportion of meat, but no sudden change to 

 a meat diet should be made, or it will be likely, confined as she is, to 

 cause surfeit, and not unlikely even more serious consequences. 



A little fresh hay should be added to the nest occasionally ; and when 

 the puppies have got their eyes open, take advantage of the dam being 

 out at exercise to change the bed entirely, cleaning the place thoroughly, 

 and sprinkling with a little Sanitas or Condy's fluid properly diluted. 



If one or more of the teats appear to be blind or to have got dammed 

 up, it should be freely bathed with warm water daily, or twice a day, and 

 then well rubbed with camphorated oil or marshmallow ointment. 



Where the puppies are the result of a mesalliance, or from other causes 

 it is not desirable to rear them, that wish should be sacrificed in humanity 

 to the poor mother. The maternal instincts in the dog are remarkably 

 strong, and it is a most cruel thing to rob her of her puppies, so that at 

 least one or two should always be left for her to nurse. Another reason 

 for this is, that with no puppies to draw the milk from her she runs great 

 risk of milk fever and the formation of tumours in the teats. 



Nowadays, however, there are always plenty of pure bred puppies it is 

 desired to rear, and whose owners are glad of the services of a foster 

 mother, and if these are substituted for her own her attentions and 

 affections are soon transferred to the adopted ones, and no harm done. 



Treatment of Pups in the Nest. I am often consulted as to treat- 

 ment of pups in the nest when they are suffering from various ailments, 



