DOGS, CATS AND POULTRY 513 



Before starting have your fingers and hands oiled so as 

 not to irritate the bitch ; sometimes a small hook will be of 

 some use, but if you use one be very careful not to tear her. 



5. Treatment After Whelping. 



Bitches are not very liable to disease after pupping and 

 the only thing to be done is to see that she is dry, clean and 

 warm, and that the pups are sucking her all right. 



A nice warm dish of oatmeal porridge and milk is a good 

 thing as soon as she shows a desire to eat. 



6. Cutting Pups' Tails. 



This is usually done when the pup is about a month old. 

 The length of the tail to be left on varies with the breed of 

 the pup; find out the length you want to leave it and then 

 find the joint, and cut it through with one stroke of a sharp 

 knife. They do not usually bleed, but if it should, touch the 

 spots with Monsell's solution of iron, or if you have not got 

 this just touch it with a red hot iron, which will stop it, but 

 in most cases it will be all right without anything. 



7. Weaning. 



Should the mother be strong and healthy and have an 

 abundant supply of milk, leave this to nature, unless for some 

 reason it is necessary to do otherwise. 



At the age of from four to six weeks the mother may be 

 taken from the pups, gradually at first — an hour or two each 

 day, then during the whole day, remaining with them only 

 at night, and finally taken away altogether. 



8. Rearing the Pups. 



At as early an age as possible and before being weaned 

 teach the pups to drink milk, then a little bread and milk, 

 and so on, until they will eat almost anything that is good 

 for them. 



When taken from the mother feed light, wholesome food 

 and keep them dry, warm and comfortable. Watch closely 

 for indications of worms and such maladies as are likely to 

 attack them. 



Feed often at first, but as they get older the number of 

 the meals may be reduced. 



Watch for loose teeth and remove them, as this may be 

 done easily. The time during which the temporary teeth are 

 shed and the permanent set takes their place varies from five 

 to ten months according to the breed and condition. 



