CARE OF THE BROOD BITCH AFTER WHELPING. 149 



favored, as tending to prevent fever and get rid of tissue 

 waste, etc. 



Constipation may best be relieved by a rectal injection. 

 The less medicine the brood bitch is given the better, con- 

 sistent with actual safety, as it not only modifies her own 

 vital processes, but, through the milk, that of the puppies. 



After the first week the bitch should be given exercise 

 regularly, at first only walking her, then gradually intro- 

 ducing more and more of that form of exercise which by 

 breed, previous habits, etc., is best adapted to her. It will 

 be more pleasant in many cases to her to accompany the 

 other dogs of the kennel, when she will thrive all the bet- 

 ter in that case. 



The feeding of the nursing bitch can scarcely be over- 

 done, if her appetite be taken as a guide and she does not 

 gain in flesh. After three weeks she is apt to show a fall- 

 ing off, and it may be necessary to add to the food those 

 helps to nutrition referred to previously. 



A nursing bitch should almost from the first be fed 

 three times a day. The demands on her are very great, 

 and if not met by food, the supplies will be drawn from 

 her other tissues, to her detriment i. e., the milk glands 

 will rob the other tissues of the body. 



At the best she will suffer temporarily after the nurs- 

 ing period is over, if not before then. A bitch always 

 loses her coat after whelping, usually grows thinner, the 

 skin becomes irritable, and eczema is liable to follow. If 

 neglected in the matter of food, she may be ruined ; her 

 constitution may be hopelessly undermined. However, 

 the digestive powers must be carefully watched, for they 

 are not always equal to the needs of the tissues, 



