4038. VET CASE STUDY: A gigantic chest tumour costs more to operate

 This gigantic clock in Beijing West Railway Station was
photographed by me on 3 March 2024. It reminded me
of a 2-year-old dwarf hamster with a gigantic chest tumour
seen at my veterinary surgery in Singapore. It was a rare
case of such a large sized tumour. It was as big 
as the hamster's head.

 Pets are family members. Dwarf hamsters live 
from 2 to 2.5 years. A short life span. Some 
develop tumours at around 2 years of age, 
owing to ageing. Consult your vet early. 

 

 Time is money. What do I mean? As time passes, the
2-year-old female dwarf hamster's chest tumour grew
larger. This tumour was as large as the hamster's head.

 

 It would take a much longer time to excise the tumour. 
Much more anaesthetic gas had to be used for a lengthy surgery.
If the tumour was excised when it was much smaller, 
it would be much cheaper. 
Hence, with the delay in seeking veterinary surgery, the costs
had increased considerably. 
This is what I mean by "Time is money."

 

 The dwarf hamster had a heavy burden on her chest.
She had great difficulty in grooming herself daily. Grooming
keeps her clean. The gigantic chest tumour started to be smelly
as it rubbed on the floor. Its skin became red, inflamed and ulcers
formed. A rotting flesh smell wafted in the apartment. 

 

 Doctor Daniel Sing excised
the tumour. The hamster survived 
the anaesthesia and surgery. Video
shows her waking up from anaesthesia.

 

 The owner is grateful and happy. This vet case had
a happy outcome despite the very high risks of
anaesthesia and surgery. Not every belated large 
tumour surgery patient survive.

 In conclusion, pets are family members for many
owners. Do not procrastinate. Time passes by 
very quickly. The chest tumour in this case study
could be cancerous. Early detection and 
removal save lives and money. 

 MORE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS AT:
youtube.com/c/99pups.

Thank you for watching.

--------

 CHINA - 3 MAR 2024: One of two large Polaris clocks in a tower is present outside the fringe of the exit of the Beijing West Railway Station. It looks like a vintage clock from the 1990s

 

 

 

TOA PAYOH VETS - 

Sponsor of
Of Be Kind To Pets
Vet Educational Videos

 

 VET CASE STUDY: A gigantic chest tumour costs more to operate

This Be Kind To Pets Veterinary Educational Video, sponsored by Toa Payoh Vets shows a successful surgical and anaesthesia outcome for a 2-year-old dwarf hamster with a gigantic chest tumour at Toa Payoh Vets. The case is in Singapore. 

The message to hamster owners is that:
1. the financial costs of surgery and anaesthesia are MUCH HIGHER if the tumour is gigantic.
2. there is a VERY HIGH RISK of anaesthetic death during or after surgery if the tumour is gigantic.

In conclusion, the video of this hamster having survived the longer time for surgery is fortunate,
but it is not guaranteed. Get your vet to excise the tumour when it is much smaller. Early excision saves lives.

UPDATE: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/08/4038-photography-tips-large-clocks-in.html

MORE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS: www.youtube.com/@99pups 

TO BUY PHOTOS: www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

4037. Alms round - Nuns

Is Alms Round held once a year? 
Yes sir, it is held after Myanmar new year Thingyan festival.

 

Flags are “Buddhist flags” used as a symbol of faith and peace. It is used in every Buddhism events. It was first designed in Sri Lanka in 1885 by an American theosophist, Colonel Henry Steel Olcott.

 

 What are text on the gong?

 Names of the people who donate that gong

 

 

--------------------

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Myanmar, the alms round (Pindapata) is a daily practice where Buddhist monks and nuns walk through communities, collecting food offerings from laypeople. This practice is a cornerstone of Myanmar's Theravada Buddhist culture, symbolizing the interdependence between the monastic and lay communities. Monks and nuns rely on the generosity of the people for their daily sustenance, while the laity, in turn, gain merit (good karma) by offering food and other necessities. 

Significance of the Alms Round:

• Reliance on the Community:

  The alms round emphasizes the monks' and nuns' dependence on the lay community for their basic needs, fostering a sense of interconnectedness. 
• Merit Making:

  Giving alms is a way for the laity to accumulate merit, which is believed to bring good fortune and blessings in this life and future lives. 
• Preservation of Buddhism:

  The alms round supports the monastic community and the continuation of Buddhist teachings and practices. 
• Daily Ritual:

  In Myanmar, the alms round is a daily ritual, often occurring early in the morning, with monks and nuns walking through neighborhoods in a specific pattern. 
• Social Interaction:

  While primarily a religious practice, the alms round also provides opportunities for social interaction between monks/nuns and the lay community, strengthening the bonds of the religious community. 

Symbolism and Practice:

• Humility:

  Monks and nuns walk barefoot and with a humble demeanor during the alms round, signifying their detachment from worldly possessions. 
• Respect:

  The laity show respect by offering food and other necessities with reverence. 
• Gratitude:

  Monks and nuns express gratitude for the offerings, acknowledging the generosity of the donors. 
• Reciprocity:

  The alms round is a reciprocal relationship, where the monks and nuns offer blessings and spiritual guidance in return for the support they receive. 

Challenges and Changes:

• Economic Hardship:

  In recent times, Myanmar has faced economic challenges, which have impacted the availability of food for the alms round, according to Insight Myanmar.
• Impact of Conflict:

  The ongoing conflict and instability have also disrupted the alms round, with some communities facing difficulties in providing for the monks and nuns.
• Adaptations:

  Some monasteries and communities have adapted by organizing specific almsgiving days or seeking support from larger organizations to ensure the monks and nuns receive adequate sustenance, according to Insight Myanmar. 

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

4036. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS. 200-800mm lens. Bird photography

 Javan Mynah, Singapore

Canon R6, 200-800mm lens, tv mode

800mm, 1/1000 sec, f/10, ISO 640. Brian Peck

 

 Good morning to all. A big thank you to Brian Peck for this photo. The 200-800 zooms lens is needed to take this photo. Also the experience due to years of practice.  The Javan Mynah in Singapore dominates the urban areas. The previously common Common Mynah is almost extinct now.

The Javan Mynah adapts to any environment including garbage food and food courts. Nettings in the Chinatown food court have had to be put up to prevent it from scavenging. Now, the "return food tray" regulation will have cut off its food supply.

No matter how adaptable, its numbers in the parks have had been considerably reduced to a handful at any one time. The government has had used pest control companies to exterminate it. Hence, Man is the top predator of the Javan and Common mynahs in Singapore.

4035. VET CASE: What causes the cat to sneeze for over one month? Right facial...

4034. HEALTH TIPS: Supraventricular begeminy

 

Supraventricular bigeminy is a heart rhythm where each normal heartbeat is followed by a premature beat originating from the upper chambers of the heart (atria). This creates a pattern of paired beats, with a pause following each pair. It's a form of bigeminy, an arrhythmia where every other beat is abnormal. 

More details:

• Bigeminy:
  Bigeminy is a general term for an irregular heart rhythm where a normal beat is followed by an abnormal one. 

• Supraventricular:
  This specifies that the abnormal beats originate in the atria, the heart's upper chambers. 

• Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs):
  The abnormal beats in supraventricular bigeminy are often due to PACs, which are extra heartbeats that occur too early. 

• Symptoms:
  People with supraventricular bigeminy may experience palpitations, a fluttering sensation, or feel like their heart is skipping a beat. Some may also feel short of breath, lightheaded, or dizzy. 

• Causes:
  Bigeminy can be caused by various factors, including heart conditions, electrolyte imbalances, or medication side effects. It can also be triggered by caffeine, alcohol, or stress. 

• When to seek medical advice:
  While occasional bigeminy is often harmless, frequent or severe cases, especially those accompanied by symptoms like chest pain or dizziness, warrant a visit to a healthcare provider according to Verywell Health.
  
  
  UPDATE:    https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/08/4034-health-tips-supraventricular.html

4033. TRAVEL STORIES: Phuket

 13 August 2025:

I had a great holiday in Phuket from 7 - 12 August 2025. I get to know some locals and know a bit about the lifestyle on the villagers and staff in Mida Grande Resort.

Photographs:


PEOPLE
1. CHAIN, around 40 years old.

2. ART, around 40 years old.

3. Front office manager Fern whose family has a durian plantation.

4. Front office manager. 

Road sweepers. Myanmar
Plant maintenance. Myanmar. Thanaka 

 

5. Muslim grandma 86 had 8 kids. Plot of land for family.

6. Zinc roof hut and 3 kids and mother


ANIMALS

1. Stray cat

2. Stray dog

3. Junglefowl

4. Stray black and white cats





PROPERTIES

1. Road sign Hat Soi Surin 4.

2. New condo

3. Be My Guest hotel

4. Mida Grande Resort.  

5. Surin bar

6. Bar opposite Mida 

7. Undeveloped plot of land with junglefowl 

 

4032. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: The Common Mynah in Phuket

13 Aug 2025: 
As a photographer, I am very interested in spotting the Common Mynah in Phuket as it is rare in Singapore and Sentosa. The Javan Mynah is the dominant species as it is more adaptable - feeding on garbage and on leftover food in hawker centres and breeding more. However, in 2025, I noted that there is a drastic decline in the Javan Mynah as it is considered a pest.    

 

 

 

The Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis) is a bird native to Singapore, but its population has declined due to competition with the introduced Javan Myna. While the Common Myna is still found in Singapore, it is less common than the Javan Myna. 

Key Differences between Common Myna and Javan Myna:

• Body Color:

  Common Mynas have a brownish body, while Javan Mynas are predominantly black.
• Eye Patch:

  Common Mynas have a distinctive yellow patch of skin around their eyes, which Javan Mynas lack. 

Status in Singapore:

• The Common Myna is a native species that has been introduced to many other parts of the world, where it is considered invasive. 
• In Singapore, it's considered a common resident, but its numbers have decreased due to competition from the introduced Javan Myna. 
• The Javan Myna, introduced to Singapore, is now the more dominant and widespread species. 
• The Javan Myna is often the bird associated with complaints about noise and nuisance in Singapore. 

Where to find Common Mynas:

• Common Mynas can still be found in Singapore, particularly in coastal areas and places with less human activity, according to Birds of Singapore. 
• They are also found in open woodlands and around human habitation.

 

 

TO BUY PHOTO:   www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

4031. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: A watchful young cat in Phuket. Grabfood delivery rider. Eye contact. TV mode.

Stray cats are rare in Phuket's Patong Beach and villages, as in Singapore. My reason is that the government has had eliminated them contracting pest control companies to net them and get rid of them. 

This young cat was relaxing on the road in Mida Grande Resort which has low occupancy in the off-peak season of August. He scurried to hide inside the leafy hedge. Totally safe and invisible. 

He sprinted out to the steps of the villa when I looked for him in the hedge to take a photo. I shook the leaves and he decided that the place was not safe.

 You can see that he is alert but at a safe distance. The afternoon sunlight lit up his eyes as I took photos. As I walked nearer, he quickly climbed up the steps and disappeared. So he sprinted out suddenly.

Be alert of the surroundings and people or employees. 

Photography can teach me lessons about real life too.

 

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS:

Canon R5, tv mode, 96mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, ISO 320
9 AUG 2025. 6PM. 

I used Photoshop to highlight the lights in the eyes. 
Eye contact makes the photo attractive.

 

 --------------------------------------------------------------

 

 THAILAND- 9 AUG 2025: A Grabfood rider makes eye contact with the photographer as he exits the Mida Grande Resort Phuket. Eye contact and professionally attired rider make a photo attractive to view.

 

Mida Grande Resort Phuket, 179/450 Had Surin Soi 4, Moo 3, Chwengtalay, Thalang, Phuket 83110, Thailand.

 

 

 

 If you view his eyes, they are red (not white) as he must be sweating in his face mask and thick shirts. He takes pride in his profession by buying the Grabfood jacket from the internet. There are actually people selling beautifully designed Grabfood jackets for such characters who want to look good and beautiful and give an excellent first impression! Probably a big online market for such attire?

 

Canon R5, tv mode, 98mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, iso 1000

I waited for the Grabfood to exit the Resort, focus on this face and got this photo.