KENNEL NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22817, 17 February 1936, Page 12

KENNEL NOTES

(By

“Setter”)

[Queries for answer on any Monday, must be received by “Setter,” care the Times Office, not later than the preceding Thursday.] THE SUCCESSFUL BROOD. How successfully, healthfully and vigorously the mother dog comes through her maternal adventure is mainly determined by the way she has been managed during the previous 63 days of pregnancy. t During the first six weeks after mating the only special attention really needed is at the end of the second and third weeks when she should be treated for worms. Unless this is done the puppies are likely to be infected, and so start life under a heavy handicap. A vermifuge suitable for both tapeworms and round worms needs to be given. Some recommend that during this period the amount of exercise normally given be increased, but so long as she is kept sound in wind and limb and does not get fat this is not essential. It is from the sixth week that scrupulous care and attention are demanded. While still having liberal exercise anything of a violent nature, racing, romping or jumping, must be discouraged; if she has been accustomed to travelling in a motor car, it is advisable to discontinue her journeys, and to prevent her fighting with others of her sex, she should be kept away from them. The feeding of the expectant mother dog from now onwards must be more generous, carefully arranged in accordance with any tendency she displays to get thin or fat, and with due regard to the requirements of the future family. The ideal time to prevent rickets in puppies is before they are born, not when they are born, as the result of vitamin deficiency in the diet of mother or puppy definite bone and jpint weakness has shown itself. Lean meat, liver, Weetmeet and Cod-liver-oil biscuits are rich in vitamins and should be included in the diet, and an egg now and again will round it out and be thoroughly relished. Bone meal (bone pulverized to the consistency of flour) given twice a day will be helpful, especially in the case of dogs such as chows which are naturally heavy in bone formation. Bone meal can either be sprinkled on dry food or mixed with any broth or gravy. A little aperient medicine is called for if she shows signs of putting on too much flesh. Castor oil—nowadays obtainable either as liquid, powder or capsule—is as good as anything. Starch and fatty foods must be,reduced and reliance placed mainly on lean meat, dry biscuits and green vegetables. Pregnancy often induces an abnormal thirst. There is no harm in this being satisfied, and there should be ready access at all times to fresh clean water.