THE TOY BITCH WHEN PUPPING 13 



lately nothing about a litter of little toys, if healthy, 

 to be in the least offensive anywhere, and a good mother 

 will keep them in the very pink of perfection for nearly 

 a month under such circumstances. 



Where a poor or weakly mother is concerned, and 

 where the puppies are restless, squall, and seem damp 

 and comfortless, it is another matter. By constant 

 attention as to the changing of the bed, partial hand- 

 feeding from a small old silver spoon with cream and 

 hot water, and Plasmon or Lactol, half and half (better 

 than milk, though warm milk will do), and a great deal 

 of patience, the mother may be helped out and the 

 puppies saved ; but where they are not valuable it is 

 better to destroy all but one or two ; and where they are 

 so, a good foster-mother offers them by far the best 

 chance of life and health. There are people who make 

 it their business to supply fosters, and one of these 

 should be applied to as soon as possible ; taking pains 

 to ensure, by careful examination on arrival, that the 

 stranger has no skin disease and is free from objectionable 

 insects. 



Small toy bitches sometimes have but little milk at 

 first, but by giving warm food only for the first few 

 days, and plenty of milk to drink, it generally comes all 

 right, and so long as the pups seem fairly content, all is 

 well ; the flow is sure to increase. Both before and 

 after pupping there is generally a little diarrhoea, which 

 is of no consequence ; but if it goes on beyond the second 

 day after pupping, get the bitch on to her usual diet, 

 with a little cold milk to drink, and stop all sloppy 

 foods. Oatmeal, as gruel or otherwise, should never be 

 given after the second day. A discharge, of mucus 

 mixed with blood, is usual after pupping, and may 

 continue for several weeks in gradually lessening amount. 



