1081. Sep 5, 2012 dog disease in Singapore with Zhao Pao newspaper

Educating the dog owners is important. The Zhao Pao reporter wanted me instead of the younger ones to talk about diseases in the dog in Singapore as I am an old vet. Some questions he asked were:

1. Commonest dog disease problems in Toa Payoh Vets.
Number 1 will be skin diseases of various causes like ringworm. Ear infections are part of skin diseases. Food allergies tests can be done but it costs money.
Vomiting and diarrhoea, coughing, urinary tract infections, tumours in skin and elsewhere in the body. Eye diseases in Shih Tzus common due to their big eyeballs. Tick infestations hard to control by some owners.
2. Bladder stones. Quite common in some breeds like Miniature Schnauzers.

3. Advices to dog owners.
3.1  Daily check up of the dog for tumours or ticks.
3.2  If dog is not eating for more than one day or not active, consult the vet promptly.
3.3  Annual vaccination is still recommended as Singapore vaccine suppliers do not sell those vaccines which last 3 yearly as reported in the internet forums. They supply combined vaccines and so important diseases like parvovirus and distemper cannot be separately vaccinated 3-yearly as in the USA dogs.
3.4  Bladder stones and eye injuries are emergencies. Do not wait and see.