238 KENNEL SECRETS. 



but this can safely and wisely be increased during the 

 last month before whelping if the litter promises to be 

 very large, in which event the demand upon the mother 

 for bone material must be unusually great. 



Some further modifications in the dietetic regimen will 

 generally be necessary with her who is carrying young. 

 If she has been habituated to one meal a day and that at 

 night, shortly after mating the custom of feeding her in 

 the morning should be commenced. The breakfasts, light 

 at first, should be quite generous through the month 

 preceding the whelping, and they can properly consist 

 largely of milk thickened with bread or some of the other 

 starches ; and he is wise who frequently adds one or two 

 raw eggs. During the last two or three weeks a moderate 

 lunch, made up of milk, will be highly appropriate, nor 

 will it be necessary to thicken it with other foods. But 

 let it be borne in mind that the increase in the quantity of 

 food and number of meals should be made cautiously lest 

 over-feeding occur and the appetite be impaired. 



If a mother is free from worms at the time of whelping 

 her puppies will be much less likely to suffer from these 

 pests during the earliest months of life ; hence a mild 

 vermifuge can wisely be given about the sixth week after 

 mating. But this treatment should not be delayed until 

 the last week before whelping, as some have advised, for 

 obviously the straining induced by the cathartics which 

 must follow them might bring on labor prematurely. 



As for the vermifuge to be employed, areca nut is one 

 of the safest and most efificient. And when those to be 

 treated are to remain and whelp in their usual quarters 

 they should be temporarily removed to others while the 

 agent is acting. 



Every expectant dam has a decided preference for the 

 kennel which she has long occupied, and when expedient 



