Lactation] Io7 [Lactation 



the loins ; the urine may be tinged with blood, 

 or after passing water, which may look quite 

 clear and normal, the dog continues to strain, and 

 a few drops of blood escape and some mucus. 



Treatment : A milk diet is important in these 

 cases ; it may be given with rice, tapioca, Force, 

 or bread. Red meat must be avoided, but tripe 

 and fish may be allowed. Vichy water mixed with 

 equal parts of plain water should be given to 

 drink ; and a course of hyposulphite of soda, as 

 recommended in acute inflammation, should be 

 given, but only two or three times a day. If 

 gravel or a stone is suspected, a course of boro- 

 citrate of magnesia with bicarbonate of potash is 

 advised. The dose of the former is five 1 to thirty 

 grains, and of the latter from two 1 to fifteen grains 

 mixed with the food twice a day, and be continued 

 for some time. 



Lactation (Defective) : 



Symptoms : A small supply or total suppression 

 of the mammary secretion. 



Treatment : Give a raw meat diet, and stimu- 

 late the glands by massage ; also encourage the 

 bitch to drink plenty of fine oatmeal gruel. 



Lactation (Excessive) : 



Symptoms : Excessive secretion of milk. The 

 glands are swollen, hard, and painful, and the 

 milk often dribbles away. It may occur before 

 the puppies are born, or just after ; and it often 

 happens to a maiden bitch to have a large secre- 

 tion of milk, which shows itself about seven or 

 eight weeks after heat, and which lasts five or six 

 1 According to the size of the dog. See p. 86. 



