CAPE OF PUPPIES. 



that the great secrets in feeding are, wholesome food and a variety in 

 diet. Where only a few dogs are kept, the "scraps" from the table, 

 from their varied nature, cannot he improved upon. Mix potatoes and 

 other vegetables with a little gravy and small pieces of meat. Until 

 six months old, feed three times a day, then twice daily until maturity is 

 reached. 



Remain with the pup while eating, and as soon as he turns from his food 

 remove it at once. Never urge a dog to eat if he shows from his manner that 

 he has no appetite. Prepare something else and tempt him with it, and if he 

 still declines, wait until his next regular time of feeding and try again. 



As a rule, give as little medicine as possible to puppies. Probably the 

 most common affection observed among them is indigestion in some form or 

 other. As castor oil or syrup of buckthorn can do no harm, if an odor to the 

 breath, a hot nose, sluggish manner, or disinclination to eat is noted, give 

 either, and watch the discharges. If very offensive, or if undigested matter 

 appears in them, the cause is apparent. Stop all food for a time, and when 

 next given, select only the simplest and most easily digestible, — milk and 

 lime-water preferred. 



Vegetables have a tendency to purify the blood and keep the bowels in 

 good condition. When these cannot be given, other means should be 

 employed in the form of a mild physic. It is a good plan to give a dose 

 of sulphur, either alone or with powdered magnesia, if a laxative is needed. 

 Mix this with the food once or twice a week in summer, and less often in 

 colder weather. The ordinary dose is one-half a teaspoonf ul of each. 



Diarrhoea is usually the result of indigestion — often nature's effort to 

 throw off the disease. In many cases regulating the diet will suffice. Give 

 porridge made of boiled milk and flour, baked until slightly brown. If the 

 attack is severe, first imitate nature by giving a dose of castor oil, it being 

 desirable that the contents of the intestines should be effectually removed, in 

 order to prevent their continued passage over the inflamed surface, and to 

 secure, as far as possible, that important end in the treatment of all inflam- 

 mations, namely, quietude of the inflamed parts. Paregoric, as the simplest 

 form of opiate, may then be given in one or two teaspoonful doses, every six 

 or eight hours. 



Worms are a common enemy to pups. The giving of sour milk will do 

 much to prevent their formation. Their presence may be suspected when 

 bloating occurs beyond that which the food taken would be likely to produce. 

 For worms in puppies three months old, give one or two grains of santonine in 

 butter, after they have fasted twelve hours ; follow this dose, three hours 

 later, with one of castor oil. 



Fleas are a constant source of annoyance. Washing young puppies is 

 never admissible. Combing with a fine comb dipped in kerosene oil, or 

 rubbing flea pouder into the hair, are the means to be employed. 



