4419. Vet Case Study: A very itchy hamster.

VET CASE STUDY: A very itchy hamster.

31 DEC 2024
WHATSAPP TO DR SING KONG YUEN

 

I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound.

I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.

That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms. 

I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you.

This is her right now. Her fur already grew back a week ago but now her wound is stopping her fur from growing. 

This was how it was before we brought her to your vet
The medicine given helped tremendously but it’s because of her constant biting new spots

This was when her fur was growing back and she was free from wounds after giving the medications

This was awhile after the first photo (a lump?).

And this photo shows her wound area getting a little red but no wound then awhile (about a week) after this photo I found another wound and treated it and now that wound has healed but another has formed. 

I’m so sorry for the late messages but I’m quite worried for her as she is constantly biting the wound and I have to keep stopping her so I would like advice. Thank you so much.

Good morning. Please phone 62543326 today for appointment with Dr Daniel. I am Dr Sing K Y. Ask them to clip hamster bald to clear infection of hairs, in my opinion. Please phone me 96686468 as soon as possible

 

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I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.

That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms. 

I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you.

 

 

This is her right now
Her fur already grew back a week ago but now her wound is stopping her fur from growing. 

 

 

This was how it was before we brought her to your vet
The medicine given helped tremendously but it’s because of her constant biting new spots

 

 

This was when her fur was growing back and she was free from wounds after giving the medications

 

 

 

This was awhile after the first photo (a lump?). 

And this photo shows her wound area getting a little red but no wound then awhile (about a week) after this photo I found another wound and treated it and now that wound has healed but another has formed
I’m so sorry for the late messages but I’m quite worried for her as she is constantly biting the wound and I have to keep stopping her so I would like advice. Thank you so much.

Good morning. Please phone 62543326 today for appointment with Dr Daniel. I am Dr Sing K Y. Ask them to clip hamster bald to clear infection of hairs, in my opinion
Please phone me 96686468 as soon as possible.

 

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31 DEC 2024:

I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.

That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms. 

I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you.

 

 

 TELE-CONSULTATION ADVICES:

1. Make an appointment to consult the vet at Toa Payoh Vets as soon as possible as it is hard to diagnose based on some images.

Bacterial, fungal and mite infestations are possibilities. Medication is needed.


2. Bathe the hamster in warm  water with anti-bacterial or fungal soap. The hamster's thick coat needs to be properly dried after bathing.

3. Diet. Possible allergy to food. Restrict diet to reduce weight. Feed approved hamster food and fewer items e.g. sunflower seed plus four other types seeds for the next two weeks. No treats.

4. Hygiene of housing. Sanitisation of cage, water bottle, bowl, den etc.
 

Dampness near the water bottle. Scattered pieces of food on litter and in hamster wheel, evident in the owner's photo. Clean housing daily.

5. Floor litter. No chips. The owner has used paper.


6. Likely infections of skin under the thick coat, hence more wounds appear. Itchiness and redness of belly persist. Best is to get the hamster clipped bald by Toa Payoh Vets to show the extent of the infected skin areas.

 

FOLLOW UP ON 6 JAN 2025:

Owner WA:
She's doing fine now that the wound is not bleeding anymore and it's healing fine. Just a little redness on her belly. Her cage is much cleaner now thanks to your advice.

Dr Sing:
What did you do to enable the hamster to recover fast? Did you restrict diet, clean cage and bathe the hamster?

Owner:
Hi, I gave her little food as you suggested and clean her cage daily. I did not bathe her. I tried taking pictures, but the pictures always make her wound look super red. Photo sent.

Dr Sing:
Thank you for your photo.

 

UPDATES:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/01/4419-vet-case-study-itchy-hamster.html

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SCRIPT

31 DEC 2024

Hi, is this Toa Payoh Vets?
I brought my hamster (T...) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects. 

That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms. 

I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you

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Ventral dermatitis in hamsters can be caused by a number of factors, including mites, bacteria, and fungus. It can present as skin lesions, alopecia, and pigmentation. 

Causes

• Demodex mites: A localized overpopulation of Demodex aurati or D criceti mites can cause demodicosis. This can be associated with poor nutrition, stress, or immunosuppression. 
• Bacteria: Bacteria can form spores and spread through the environment. 
• Fungus: Trichophytosis is a dermatologic condition that can cause ventral dermatitis in hamsters. 

Symptoms 

• Generalized alopecia
• Pruritus (itching)
• Erythema (redness)
• Crusts and scaling
• Hyperpigmentation
• Skin thinning
• Lack of skin elasticity

Treatment a combination of 1% selenium sulfide shampoo and topical application of selamectin, oral ivermectin, and amitraz. 

Prevention 

• Keep sick hamsters separate from other hamsters
• Thoroughly clean and sanitize the cage, food containers, and water sources used by both sick and healthy animals

4418. HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS - ILLUSTRATION. CHATGPT

 

 HAPPY NEW YEAR GREETINGS - ILLUSTRATION. CHATGPT

EXAMPLE 1

Dear ....

On this 1st of January 2025, ... wishes you a Happy New Year.

May the river of 2025, with clear waters and
no turbulence, flow smoothly for you, past vibrant green mountains enveloped by mists of bright sunshine and flower-filled valleys into the last day of 2026.

 

 

 

 EXAMPLE 2.

 

Dear Kat, Happy New Year from Judy and I from Singapore, 1 Jan 2025, 8.23am.

May the river of 2025, with clear waters and
no turbulence in Taiwan, flow smoothly for you, past vibrant green mountains enveloped by mists of bright sunshine and flower-filled valleys into the last day of 2026.

 

 

 

 

 Happy New Year 2025 from Judy & David

to fellow Vietnam Tour Group travellers, with good luck

especially to the couple in the U.S.A, Frances and Ben

 

 

 

 

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Spectacular Afghan landscape and its wealth of historical and archaeological sites.

Hiking a trail next t the deep-blue waters of mountain lakes in Band-e-Amir national park in central Afghanistan, beneath soaring peaks crusted with brilliant white snow, Dr L was relaxed and exuberant.

 

 

 

 

 

4417. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Indoors. Food Junction. Great World City Mall. Use tripod and AV Mode

 PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Indoors. Food Junction. Great World City Mall.
Newly opened Food Junction.
I used a tripod to get sharp image.
Canon R5, AV Mode, 24mm, 1/8 sec, f/11, ISO 100. 

 

 

4416. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: 10am is a good time for house photography. Lighting not too harsh.

HOTOGRAPHY TIPS: 10am is a good time for house photography. Lighting not too harsh.  

28 Dec 2024: 10.02am

Canon R5, 24mm, 1/80 sec, f/11, ISO 100. AV mode. Handheld.

Note the two Draceanea draco plants (with spear-shaped leaves) near the back gate of the corner terrace house.

 

4415. WRITING TIPS: Characters, Better Story Structure

 Four types of unlikable characters and how to make them work in your writing.  Sarah J Sover.
Writer'sDigest.com  Mar/Aril 2024. 

 https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/love-to-hate-them

Different types of unlikable characters require different treatments. From the rough-around-the-edges with a heart of gold types to irredeemable villains, the amount of distaste for a character seems to fall along a spectrum. Stories involving each of these types can be successful given the right development, circumstances, and genre.

The Hidden Hero

 This is your layered character with a rough exterior. Dr. Cox from “Scrubs,” Coach Hedge from Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus, Jessica Jones, etc. There are many approaches to letting the audience see the good in these characters from adding internality to offsetting a hard image with acts of compassion or giving the character a higher purpose.

The Jerk Next-door

 These are the Colin Robinsons, Dorian Grays, and Holden Caulfields of fiction, the everyday joes navigating life in a way that doesn’t add value to the world around them, and in some cases, makes the world a little bit suckier. Whether they’re arrogant, narcissistic, or merely self-serving, they remind you of someone you know. They might not be truly evil, but they rarely make noble decisions.

 

The Morally Divergent

Those characters who have their own code that operates outside the norm. The honorable thief, the assassin who refuses to take contracts on children, and the chaotic, unpredictable types whose actions are driven by what seems right in the moment all fall into this category. Part of the appeal is wondering what is going to happen next.

The Irredeemable

Bigots, perpetrators of heinous crimes, and other characters who are too far gone for any well-adjusted reader to root for. The characters who fall into this group aren’t meant to be likable, but they are meant to be captivating in some way.

 

Make the Reader Feel Something

Where some may say that a character needs to be likable, I say that the sure way to kill a story is to make the reader indifferent. Even rude and vile characters need to be interesting, otherwise, there’s nothing to make the reader care.

The characters and their interactions with the world are the primary drivers of any believable plot. Focusing too much on the action rather than how events impact your characters, what their reactions are, and what makes them tick robs your story of the dimensions it needs to engage your readers. 

 

Whether you’re writing Ted Lasso or Raskolnikov, focusing on character development is key to connecting with your readers and writing a plot that feels organic. Well-developed characters who make good on the promises of your genre while also amplifying the special parts of your story will forge an emotional connection with readers. And in the end, isn’t that the point? Your characters are the heart of your story, and if that is a cold, dark heart, then so be it! Instead of unrelatable, unlikable characters, you can create characters that live on in the dark depths of your reader’s minds long after they reach “the end.”

 

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BETTER STORY STRUCTURE THROUGH MUSICALS AND KUNG FU MOVIES
by Bob Hart.

Build emotion and conflict for your characters and readers by taking a note from the structure of two popular storytelling forms.

A group of people come together. They interact, their emotions grow until they boil over. At which point, there is either singing or fighting. The emotional peak is like the crest of the wave. Your pulse rises. Your senses are engaged.

The wave recede and the story diips into the trough. A good story has crests and troughs going bigger and you go along building into a climax: a soul-stirring song or fight to determine someone's fate.

On an emotional level, putting characters in a place of emotional or physical vulnerability makes it easier to identify with them-and to root for them

By recognising these things, you become a better story teller.

WORLD-BUILDING.
E.G.  The Matrix. Humans enslaved by machines and stuck into a virtual reality to keep them docile. A group of rebels led by Morpheus recruit Neo (Keanu Reeves) to free them.  Neo's training begins, via virtual downloads. After 10 hours of training, Neo proclaims, "I know kung fu.". Morpheus responds: "Show me". 

We got some great world-building based on the rules of the virtual world. (Read the whole article).

CHARACTER
E.G. West side Story. two rival New York City gangs.

STRUCTURE
A good story telling line has little crests and troughs in them thoroughout. Some form of peril is imminent.

PACING
Most musicals have a big  Opening Number establishing the world, the characters and the show you're about to see. 

HEAD AND HEART.

We covered world-building, character and structure. Just as important is the way these stories make a promise by creating a heightened sense of reality, and through this, establishing authority.

Once you establish authority, the reader will trust you, believe you and you can do anything with the plot. 

Two ways to do this.
1. The "heart" method through honesty and frankness.

2. The "head" method by demonstrating knowledge or proficiency. 

Both kung fu movies and musicals establish a high level of technical prowness. We trust and accept the reality of the skills of the martial arts master or Broadway-caliber singer.


We learn what they want, who they love, what they'll fight or who they will die for. 
It's the emotional or physical peril that we cheer for them. 

THE BIGGER PICTURE

You should read and watch stories outside our chosen format so you can better see the invisible strands of storytelling common across all genres.  Instead of kung fu, think about action movies in general, e.g. Mad Max: Fury Road.

Crests and troughs. They are everywhere.
Dancing in Saturday Night Fever.
Gunfights in John Wick
boxing in Rocky
Football in Friday Night Lights. 

Troughs and crests - utilise in your own stories.

 

 

4414. Vet Case Study: Tele-consultation via Instagram

1. DATE OF TELE-CONSULTATION  VIA INSTAGRAM ON 1 OCT 2023

RY

Hi, I have 2 red eared sliders, one of which has been giving a wheezing sound for the past 2 days, which is quite worrying. May I know if I need to make a booking to send them in for a check up?

 

I would like to learn if my set up is good enough for them as well.

DR SING K Y

Please hone 6254 3326 for appointment to examine them. For your set up, please WhatsApp video of all 4 side views and top view to 96686468. Thanks

 

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2. DATE OF TELE-CONSULTATION  VIA INSTAGRAM ON 25 DEC 2024

RY

 
Hi, i know it is too late and it's a holiday tomorrow. But I noticed my RES doing this. He has not been eating well recently, but he basks normally. We have heated lamp and the set up should be fine. There is no wheezing nor puffy eyes.

DR SING K Y

Please send close up videos of him swimming and his eyes

Your earlier video is blurry.

RY

Wonder if he needs medical attention?

DR SING K Y

Sorry for late reply as I couldn’t find your post in WhatsApp.

Dry dock him overnight and if he eats in next 3 days gradually, wait and see. He looked like gasping in an earlier video

RY

Okay. Need heated lamp while dry docking?

Should I bring him over? Because he haven't ate for 2-3days already

Dr Sing K Y

Best to get veterinary check up. Please phone 62543326 tomorrow 10 am for appointment. No need heated lamp for dry docking

RY

Thank you! I will call tomorrow

Dr Sing K Y

What brands and types of food you feed him? Any meal worms, worms, prawns, chicken meat etc?

Any new food fed recently?

RY

Hikari Usually

Yes, on 19th of Dec I gave him some boiled pomfret. Not a lot, just a few bites

Dr Sing K Y

Please do not give other food now as some sliders get stomach upset and inflammation. I had a recent case.

RY

Got it, thank you.

4413. "Me Time" in Wuhan Lake, China

 

It is important for retirees and very busy people to connect with Nature

4412. PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Building. A good photo has no people or vehicles.

 

 PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Building. A good photo has no people or vehicles.

 8 Dec 2024: An image of the Pei Hwa Foundation building in Jalan Kayu, at around 8 am.

An interesting part of its history is that the whole of the lower floor was once rented out to a busy veterinary clinic for many years.  

It is one of the few Singapore foundations that disburses scholarships and bursary awards to around 300 students from primary school to tertiary levels, thereby giving a leg up to the young people who may need the financial help.

iPhone 15 Pro Max image