262 KENNEL SECRETS. 



that the secretion of milk in the canine mother may be 

 delayed from twenty-four to forty-eight hours and yet be 

 within the normal limits. But the obvious method of rea- 

 soning is not justified in this instance, and certainly the 

 assumption is wholly at variance with experience, which 

 has shown that in the majority of cases milk forms in the 

 breasts of the latter before birth ; also, that new-born 

 puppies must be put to them as soon as possible, for where 

 they have failed to nurse within the first few hours of life 

 they have very generally died. 



While milk is usually present at birth the supply is 

 seldom abundant in the first twenty-four hours, during 

 which period, fortunately, puppies are easily satisfied ; 

 but, as a rule, under their vigorous nursing, which acts 

 as a potent stimulant, the quantity soon becomes greater, 

 and afterwards keeps pace with their increasing demands. 

 Cases are not infrequent, however, where the breasts fail to 

 respond as they ought and their supply remains scanty ; 

 in which event the mother must be encouraged to drink 

 freely of liquids, as milk, gruel, water, etc., for the purpose 

 of securing an increase. And such efforts must not be 

 delayed until they are clearly demanded, but be made as 

 soon as there appears the barest reason for suspecting 

 that the supply will be insufficient. 



This treatment, while of value in some cases, is, however, 

 far more often ineffectual than effectual, no matter how 

 faithfully applied, consequently to rely upon it solely would 

 be extremely hazardous, and in all instances preparations 

 should be promptly made to nourish the puppies artificially 

 in the event their mother fails them. 



Unfortunately it is impossible even twenty-four hours 

 after whelping to determine positively whether the quan- 

 tity of milk will be large or small ; but still products of 

 experience, far from being certain, however, enable breeders 

 to form a probable diagnosis. 



