EARLIEST PUPPYHOOD. 30I 



removed by firm pressure to one side with the thumb or 

 forefinger. 



Some writers have urged extraction of old teeth before 

 they have loosened in all cases where they appear likely to 

 displace the new, thinking thereby to prevent irregularity 

 in the permanent. But this is not advisable, because in- 

 stead of obviating threatened deformity it is quite sure to 

 increase the danger of it, for if an old tooth is extracted 

 before the new one is well formed and pushing it out, the 

 teeth at the sides of it will encroach upon the vacant space, 

 and finally when the new one tries to come through it finds 

 its rightful way difficult or blocked, and pushes through 

 where it can do so the most easily, but outside of the line 

 of the other teeth. 



Consequently, as a rule, only when the old teeth are 

 loosened and must soon fall out if left to themselves should 

 they be removed. 



As for the notion that convulsions or other serious 

 results are caused by swallowing teeth, that is all moon- 

 shine, for the tooth of a puppy is not at all likely to meet 

 with any difficulty or excite any disturbance in its transit 

 through the body. 



There remain to be considered docking and the removal 

 of dew-claws, and as the writer is without experience in 

 either he has turned to his friend, H. Clay Glover, D.V.S., 

 of New York, who has kindly responded with the follow- 

 ing brief discussion : — 



The practice of docking, which has been in vogue many 

 years, does not in any way add to the utility of the dog, 

 and the only object of it is improvement in the appear- 

 ance of the animal. The breeds generally subjected to 

 the operation are cocker, clumber and field spaniels, all 

 varieties of toy spaniels, airedale, Welsh, Irish and fox 

 terriers, and a few other breeds, including the bob-tail 



