Pupping] 2 4° [Pupping 



It is not an uncommon occurrence, as before 

 observed, in cases of parturition, for bitches that 

 have large litters, to give birth to all the puppies 

 quickly, and with a certain amount of ease, until 

 the last, and in some instances two puppies. 

 Then the pain seems to cease, and the bitch 

 appears fairly comfortable for some hours, and 

 it is often thought by the attendant she has 

 finished, and there is no further cause for 

 anxiety ; but in about twelve hours, or perhaps 

 the next day, the bitch becomes restless again, 

 refuses her food, and is inclined to neglect her 

 pups, and is constantly wanting to go out, and 

 after passing water, sits and strains for a few 

 moments. When these symptoms are noticed, 

 the bitch should be immediately examined, and 

 if it is found there are more puppies, and that 

 the foremost one is not unnaturally situated, a 

 dose of ergotine should be at once given, and 

 some nourishment also administered, as milk 

 and brandy, or Brand's beef essence, or even 

 a little scraped lean raw meat. 



Breeders should make it a regular practice 

 to examine a bitch when it is thought she has 

 finished pupping, by gently manipulating the 

 abdomen, also by passing carefully a well-oiled 

 finger into the vagina, for it is often impossible 

 to tell for certain, without examination, if there is 

 only one left, more especially in cases when the 

 mother has had a large litter. Many a valuable 

 bitch is lost through this not being regularly done. 

 Because the pups, when left behind, if not 

 already dead, die, and quickly decompose and 



