DOGS, CATS AND POULTRY 
513 
Before starting have your fingers and hands oiled so as 
not to irritate the bitch ; sometimes a small hook will be of 
some use, but if you use one be very careful not to tear her. 
5. Treatment After Whelping. 
Bitches are not very liable to disease after pupping and 
the only thing to be done is to see that she is dry, clean and 
warm, and that the pups are sucking her all right. 
A nice warm dish of oatmeal porridge and milk is a good 
thing as soon as she shows a desire to eat. 
6. Cutting Pups' Tails. 
This is usually done when the pup is about a month old. 
The length of the tail to be left on varies with the breed of 
the pup ; find out the length you w^ant to leave it and then 
find the joint, and cut it through with one stroke of a sharp 
knife. They do not usually bleed, but if it should, touch the 
spots with Monsell's solution of iron, or if you have not got 
this just touch it with a red hot iron, which will stop it, but 
in most cases it will be all right without anything. 
7. Weaning. 
Should the mother be strong and healthy and have an 
abundant supply of milk, leave this to nature, unless for some 
reason it is necessary to do otherwise. 
At the age of from four to six weeks the mother may be 
taken from the pups, gradually at first — an hour or two each 
day, then during the whole day, remaining with them only 
at night, and finally taken away altogether. 
8. Rearing the Pups. 
At as early an age as possible and before being weaned 
teach the pups to drink milk, then a little bread and milk, 
and so on, until they will eat almost anything that is good 
for them. 
When taken from the mother feed light, wholesome food 
and keep them dry, warm and comfortable. Watch closely 
for indications of worms and such maladies as are likely to 
attack them. 
Feed often at first, but as they get older the number of 
the meals may be reduced. 
Watch for loose teeth and remove them, as this may be 
done easily. The time during which the temporary teeth are 
shed and the permanent set takes their place varies from five 
to ten months according to the breed and condition. 
