WHELPING. 143 



The temperature of the whelping department should 

 be such that the delicate, newly born puppies may not be 

 chilled if they get separated from their mother. It should 

 not be lower than about 68 F., and may even be higher. 



Cleanliness in the whelping nest is looked after by 

 the dam herself for a considerable period. She usually, as 

 soon as a puppy is born, gnaws the navel string (umbilical 

 cord) across, thus disconnecting mother and offspring in a 

 safe and ready way. 



She also disposes of the after-birth (placenta) by eat- 

 ing it eagerly ; and it would seem that, owing possibly to 

 the discharges (meconium) it contains, this acts as a natu- 

 ral laxative for the bitch. 



The escape of the waters (liquor amnify etc., leaves 

 the bitch herself and the bedding in a very unsuitable con- 

 dition, though the mother licks the puppies themselves 

 into perfect cleanliness. 



As soon as the puppies have been all, or most of them, 

 born, it is well to renew the bedding carefully, using a 

 little of some disinfectant, as " Sanitas sawdust," and to 

 sponge off the bitch where she most needs it with warm 

 water, to which a few drops of carbolic acid, etc., may be 

 added, drying well with cloths. 



Toward the end of the first w^eek, if all goes well, she 

 may be carefully washed all over in lukewarm water, finally 

 rinsing with cooler water, drying quickly, and using much 

 hand-rubbing, to prevent unfavorable effects (see p. 122). 



The strain of whelping and the attempt on the part of 

 the organism to adjust to the new conditions, including 

 the activity of a large amount of gland tissue in the secre- 

 tion of milk, may not be so perfect that there will be no 

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