The Dog Owner Club

Mesalliance, or accidental mating of the in-season bitch, is a frequent mishap and is often regarded by the owner as a major disaster, especially if the animal has a pedigree. If the bitch is found at time of actual mating no attempt should be made to separate her from the dog. By that time interference will only add the risk of injury to the bitch, and this may result in severe bruising or even tearing of the vagina. Such damage may have permanent results.

As soon as the animals have parted your veterinary surgeon should be consulted. Douching of the vagina by the owner should not be attempted; unless this is done by a skilled person injury or infection may occur. Also, this course is not generally effective in preventing the unwanted litter. The hormone injection is effective in the majority, if not in all, cases of mesalliance. It does not in any way harm the bitch’s powers of reproduction at a later date. It is important, however, that the injection be given within a reasonable time of the accidental mating; a delay of over forty-eight hours is likely to reduce the efficiency of the injection considerably.

Incidentally, the fallacy of “tainting”, or marking of subsequent pedigree litters by a mating with a mongrel dog, has been quite conclusively disproved and has no scientific basis.

It is of course impossible to breed from the bitch at the season when the mesalliance occurs if a hormone injection has been given.

Lack of Milk In Nursing Bitches

A very trying condition which may be partial or complete. Sometimes it is due to insufficient protein (e.g., raw meat) and when this is the case plenty of raw meat should be given and a generous allowance of warm milk. When this has no effect your veterinary surgeon may be able to help. A hormone injection is now available which has been successfully used for this condition. It is administered hypodermically and should be given as soon as possible after whelping.

A gentle massage of the milk glands with a little warm olive oil will also stimulate the blood supply to the area, and thereby increase the glands’ ability to produce milk. This is also useful in cases of over-hard or distended milk glands when no infection is present.

Broken nails

Broken nails are common, particularly in the sporting breeds, when the dew claws have not been removed. Breaking or tearing of the nail does, however, occur on the toes as well, and involves one of two areas. The tear may be at the base of the nail, when the whole of the nail is torn from its attachment to the toe and is usually left hanging by a portion of skin.

Alternatively, the break may occur half-way down the body of the nail, the root remaining firmly attached to the skin at the base of the claw. In both types of injury it is usual for the broken end to be left attached to the body portion. This portion should not be pulled or any attempt made to remove it although the point of attachment may appear small it is usually quite tough, and the pain caused by touching the broken claw is considerable. Gentle bathing with warm water containing a little non-irritant antiseptic should be the first step. Then a pad of cotton wool or gauze should be placed over the injured claw, taking care to keep the broken portion in line with the rest of the toe. A bandage over this pad will ensure that the injured end is kept clean and free from jarring until the broken portion can be removed. This should be done by the veterinary surgeon, who may have to employ a local anaesthetic.

A pair of nail clippers may be used if the break is near the free end of the nail and a sharp snip just over the break will often sever the broken end quickly and painlessly. A clean dressing should be kept on for several days until the broken end has healed. It is important that this should be done as dirt and grit can enter the wound and cause a secondary infection, which will greatly delay healing.

Filed under: Dog Care, Dog Health