250 KENNEL DISEASES. 
Doubtless tne foundation of rickets is often laid during the nursing period; 
yet many pups that were perfectly healthy when weaned have afterward broken 
down with it because of having been improperly fed. 
The onset of the disease is slow. Although the first rachitic changes usually 
occur in the bones of the head and ribs, the presence of it is not likely to be de- 
tected until the forelegs are affected. The striking alterations there are a thick- 
ening of both their ends, and bending of the long bones ; which deformity is due 
to softness of the bones, and their yielding under the weight of the body. 
Soon the ligaments of the knee-joints are stretched and the victim walks on 
his pasterns. In consequence he appears down by the head, his hips being 
considerably higher than his foreshoulders. His gait is then peculiar, unsteady 
and very awkward. At the same time similar changes are going on behind, the 
deformity being especially pronounced in the hocks, while his legs are badly 
twisted. It is now impossible for him to run, and his attempts to do so are 
a series of short, lumbering jumps. 
Marked changes have also been occurring in the head and body. The former 
has lengthened ; it is flat and presents prominent angularities, while owing to 
alterations in the ribs the so-called chicken-breast has formed. 
On an all-around view the poor dog is a most unsightly object, while his rough 
and staring coat, pallid gums and lips, flabby muscles, etc., give unmistakable 
evidence of ill health. 
That animals used for breeding purposes should be of as high health as 
possible, is a self-evident truth. 
As pups of the largest breeds are the easiest victims of rickets, it is advisable 
always to use some measure of prevention with their dams, since it can do no 
harm, and may do great good. To them should be given the precipitated phos- 
phate of lime during the whelping period. This is a product of bone, and a 
most efficient bone-producer and hardener; also an active agent in nutrition. 
It is a white powder, odorless and tasteless. It should be administered once 
daily in the food during the first month of gestation, and twice daily thereafter 
until the pups have been weaned. An ordinary dose for the largest breeds is an 
even teaspoonful, but this can be safely and wisely increased during the last 
month before whelping if the litter promises to be large; in which event the 
demand upon the mother for bone material must be unusually great. 
The precipitated phosphate of lime may also be given to pups that exhibit 
signs of rickets, and the dose for medium size or largest breeds may be about 
ten grains, twice daily in the food; six grains for fox terriers and the like, and 
four grains for toys. When milk is fed it will be a wise plan to add to it the 
common lime-water of drug shops, in the proportion of about one-fourth. The 
diet, however, should consist as largely of meat as can be well borne. 
Cod-liver oil is of the highest value in this disease; and it can be given 
at the same time the phosphate of lime is being taken. The dose is from one 
