LXIY. 

 PARTURITION. 



Parturition generally takes place in the bitch from the sixty- 

 second to the sixty-fourth day. A quarter to three-quarters of 

 an hour is required for the production of each puppy. 



Assistance is generally necessary in the production of the 

 puppies, owing to the fact that if allowed to associate wdth dogs 

 larger than themselves they sometimes pay for it with their lives. 

 The bitch should be regularly exercised for some time previous to 

 lying-in. The bowels should be kept in proper condition. When 

 the time for lying-in has arrived and there is difficulty in pro- 

 ducing the fetus, recourse should be had to the ergot of rye. It 

 should be given every hour or half hour, according to circum- 

 stances. 



A drachm should be given every half hour until the fetus is 

 expelled, or until six or eight doses have been given. If ergot 

 fail, recourse must be had to the hook or forceps. The manipu- 

 lation must be gentle and continued. If the animal seems to be 

 losing strength, a half drachm of ether and ten or fifteen drops 

 of laudanum may be given. The patience of a bitch in labor is 

 remarkable. Their distress is very affecting and their look im- 

 ploring. Injections of warm water, to which a little soap has 

 been added, into the uterus will assist in removing the fetus. 

 When the puppies are dead their removal may be effected by 

 patient and gentle manipulation. When violence has been used 

 at the commencement, the patient will die. During labor the 

 expulsion of fetus may be assisted by giving a warm bath and an 

 ounce of castor oil. 



(547) 



