176 KENNEL DISEASES. 
The first symptoms are generally vague and ill defined. Indeed, they vary 
but little from those that bitches about to whelp oftentimes exhibit, and which 
are induced by the first pains of labor. That is, the unfortunates likely have 
less spirit than usual, are not so much inclined to exert themselves, and keep 
closer to their kennels; and while they may eat fairly well, their appetite is 
none the best. 
In most cases whelping at least commences, and it may stop before the 
first pup is in the world, or at once it is delivered, or persist until only one 
remains in the uterus, — all depending upon the existing conditions, — and there 
is a bare possibility of its going on to completion. 
Where only a part of a litter has been destroyed, and the living are behind 
the dead, the mother is never likely to voluntarily give bith to any, although 
she may have labor pains for a short time. 
With but one dead puppy that had presented first and been removed, labor 
pains would scarcely come on again with any intensity, and the delivery of the 
remainder of the litter would almost always require force. 
With only one dead puppy in a litter, and that placed last in the uterus, the 
mother might unaided give birth to the living; but this is contrary to the rule, 
which is that they must be taken away, and the removal of the last is then 
always a matter of exceeding difficulty. 
One or two dead puppies in each litter has been the common experience, 
but now and then this disease kills all, the mother as well as puppies, before the 
labor pains begin. And this result seems to be invariable in cases in which 
the attacks are well on a week or more before the victims are due to whelp. 
The conclusive signs of this disease — that is, the symptoms, which are 
produced by it after the septicemia is advanced —are identical with those of 
puerperal fever. And indeed where whelping has commenced, the labor pains 
have ceased, and dead and putrefying puppies are retained, the case has become 
one of that fever. 
When septicemia occurs with an intensity which proves fatal to mother 
and puppies several days before the period of whelping is due, the victims, as 
a rule, are noticeably ill only one or two days. They droop as it were, eat 
but little or refuse food altogether, are disinclined to move about, and generally 
die quite suddenly. 
Mr. Everett Millais, of London, England, had the misfortune to suffer from 
an epidemic of septicemia of pregnancy in his kennels, and he generously 
placed a record of his cases at the disposal of the writer. They in brief were 
as follows : — 
1. The victim was due to whelp Oct. 6, 1890. First signs of labor ap- 
peared Oct. 8. Pains ineffectual, and puppies were removed. All dead and 
in an advanced stage of decomposition. Mother died on the following day. 
2. Due April 4, 1891. After being dull and languid for three days, was 
