224 



PUPPING. 



duced, after a bitch has pupped, to overload the mother ; and 

 thereby they often lose both parent and progeny. Such a 

 bitch will go on very well perhaps for one, two, or even three 

 weeks ; suddenly, however, she will be seized with convul- 

 sions, which will follow each other with rapidity, and carry 

 her off. The cause is seldom suspected, but it always arises 

 from debility thus brought on. A bitch should always, there- 

 fore, be allowed to suckle as many puppies only as her con- 

 stitutional powers are equal to. To specify a precise number 

 is totally impossible, as some mothers can bring up five or six 

 with more ease than others can rear three. Strong healthy 

 bitches, that have before brought up young, may rear four 

 or five : delicate ones are sufficiently burthened with three ; 

 many can only bear two. 



When a bitch, therefore, who suckles has had a fit, imme- 

 diately remove the puppies: one or two may be put to her 

 for half an hour, morning and evening; or, if she is dis- 

 tressed at their loss, and has much milk left, one may be 

 left with her ; but, unless the majority are taken away, she 

 cannot be saved. As an internal remedy, employ the follow- 



ing*:— 



Sulphuric aether 1 dram 



Tincture of opium {laudanum) 1 dram 



Strong ale... 2 ounces.— Mix. 



Give from a dessert to two table-spoonfuls of this mixture, 

 according to the size and strength of the patient, repeating 

 the dose every two or three hours. Force down also some 

 nutritious matter, solid or liquid, as diet; and, as soon as the 

 animal will eat, let the food be of the very best kind, and in 

 sufficient quantities. In such cases the warm bath is often 

 very useful likewise. 



-i#^*^r.#s*- 



