TEEATMENT OF BROOD BITCH DURING PREGNANCY. 263 



to lead her in a strap, if with other dogs, or to give her her 

 entire liberty by herself in some quiet farm-yard or cottage 

 garden. 



It generally happens that towards the end of her time the 

 bitch becomes very thin ; she should then be better fed than 

 before; but it is more desirable that she should be somewhat 

 low in flesh than too fat, as this only leads to fever, and con- 

 sequently to a stoppage in the secretion of her milk. 



If possible, she should have a roomy loose box, or some 

 similar place, for her accouchement, and she should be separated 

 from other dogs for the last week, for fear of injury by 

 fighting. There should be plenty of clean straw, and, if con- 

 venient, a boarded floor for her to make her bed on, as the 

 whelps are sure in sucking to scratch all the straw away, and 

 afterwards lie upon the bricks or stone. If, however, a boarded 

 floor is not to be had, get a piece of old carpet, and put 

 it on some litter, and then more straw upon that, by which 

 means you prevent the whelps from scratching away more 

 than that lying above the carpet, and they are consequently 

 kept dry and warm. Care should be taken that the bitch's 

 bowels are regularly open, and, if they are not, a little castor 

 oil should be given, with plenty of broth afterwards. As 

 the milk begins to fill the teats some days before whelping, 

 it is well to give more sloppy food than usual, and a portion 

 of milk, if easily obtained, is of service, as it is highly 

 desirable that the secretion of milk should be fully estab- 

 lished by the time the whelps are born. To do this effectu- 



