A PURPLE dengue fever in Ang Mo Kio Ave 5 in May 2022. The purple code is a recently introduced coloured banner to inform residents that their area has high aedes mosquito population.
The Clifford Pier (orange roof, next to the Fullerton Bay Hotel) opened in 1933 and ceased operatons in 2006. It was a landing point for immigrants and other sea passengers. In 2008 the site was converted into a restaurant named The Clifford Pier. It was used by tourists and day trippers who boarded small boats and ferries heading for the Southern Islands including the Kusu Island. The Neptune Theatre Restaurant (R), behind Clifford Pier, operating from 1970s to 2006, hosted topless revues and large-scale dinners and Cantonese dim sum during the day.
To buy this 29 May 2022 photo: shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets
The Oriental Garden Lizard bobs his head up and down.Why?
Singapore Wildlife Stories - ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR - WHY DOES THE LIZARD DO HEAD BOBBING? 22 May 2022
Video shows head bobbing of an Oriental Garden Lizard
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
HEAD BOBBING is very normal behavior in many species of lizards in the wild. Its constant need to defend its territory or to intimidate another lizard or prey. You can see both male and female Oriental Garden Lizards exhibiting this instinctive behavior, but this particular kind of aggressive and vigorous head bobbing is mostly done by the male Oriental Garden Lizards.
The video shows a male Oriental Garden Lizard. Males in season have an orange and black neck area. The adult male also puffs up its cheek pouches to intimidate other lizards or prey.
A rare sighting of a young male Oriental Garden Lizard today. Most of the times, I would not see any. There is regular plant and shrub insecticide fogging, pruning and cutting (see my other videos and blogs). Trees are aged and some have had been cut down and not replaced from my visits over the past 5 years.Hence the forecourt garden flowers thrive, but the environment is degraded and habitat is lost. Climate change with hotter weather affected the wildlife too.Hence, in this Forecourt Garden, with so many blooming flowers, I could see a handful of butterflies (less than 5) today. Very few insects if any. So there is not much food for Oriental Garden Lizards to thrive and multiply. Some 5 years ago, I could count on seeing at least one lizard on my visits to the Forecourt Garden.
UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4055-head-bobbing-in-male-oriental.htmlVIDEO AT:
https://youtu.be/PBmdsOg6q8E (THIS VIDEO'S LINK)
Sunday 22 May 2022, 10AM: Climate change, loss of habitat and degradation of the environment of the Forecourt Garden of The Esplanade Singapore HAVE had reduced the numbers of the Oriental Garden Lizard now compared to 5 years ago.
Singapore Wildlife Stories - ANIMAL BEHAVIOUR - WHY DOES THE LIZARD DO HEAD BOBBING?
22 May 2022
Video shows head bobbing of an Oriental Garden Lizard Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
HEAD BOBBING is very normal behavior in many species of lizards in the wild. Its constant need to defend its territory or to intimidate another lizard or prey.
You can see both male and female Oriental Garden Lizards exhibiting this instinctive behavior, but this particular kind of aggressive and vigorous head bobbing is mostly done by the male Oriental Garden Lizards.
The video s
hows a male Oriental Garden Lizard. Males in season have an orange and black neck area. The adult male also puffs up its cheek pouches to intimidate other lizards or prey.
17 May 2022. A tree sheds a lot of leaves 2 days ago. This process is called abscission. Unfavourable dry or cold weather. Hormones triggered.
The contractors came to rake the leaves, use air blower to gather the fallen leaves in one spot.
----------------------------------------
How leaf shedding helps a tree
The shedding of leaves helps trees conserve water and energy. As unfavorable weather approaches, hormones in the trees trigger the process of abscission, whereby the leaves are actively cut off the tree by specialized cells. The word abscission shares the same Latin root word as that in scissors, scindere, which means to cut.
At the start of the abscission process, trees reabsorb valuable nutrients from their leaves and store them for later use in their roots. Chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green color, is one of the first molecules to be broken down for its nutrients. This is one of the reasons why trees turn red, orange and gold colors during the fall. At the end of the abscission process, when the leaves have been shed, a protective layer of cells grows over the exposed area.
The shedding of leaves may also help trees to pollinate come springtime. Without leaves to get in the way, wind-blown pollen can travel longer distances and reach more trees.
Layer of abscission cells separating a leaf from its stem. Image via U.S. Forest Service.
Bottom line: Trees shed their leaves when dry or cold weather is approaching. The trees pull in the nutrients from the leaves before the cells cut off the leaf, which then drops into your yard for raking.
Deanna Conners is an Environmental Scientist who holds a Ph.D. in Toxicology and an M.S. in Environmental Studies. Her interest in toxicology stems from having grown up near the Love Canal Superfund Site in New York. Her current work is to provide high-quality scientific information to the public and decision-makers and to help build cross-disciplinary partnerships that help solve environmental problems. She writes about Earth science and nature conservation for EarthSky.
Like what you read? Subscribe and receive daily news delivered to your inbox.
What’s the difference? Why do some trees shed their leaves?
For the answer, look to the trees themselves. Most deciduous trees have broad leaves that are susceptible to damage during cold or dry weather. In contrast, most evergreen trees either live in warm, wet climates, or they have weather-resistant needles for leaves. But nature always provides exceptions. One of the exceptions is the tamarack tree, which sheds its needles every autumn. Another is the live oak, which retains its broad leaves for the entire year even in relatively cool climates.
Common deciduous trees in the Northern Hemisphere include several species of ash, aspen, beech, birch, cherry, elm, hickory, hornbeam, maple, oak, poplar and willow.
10 NOV 2021 START OF VETERINARY STORY by Dr Sing Kong Yuen
10 Nov 2021Owner WhatsApp Dr Sing Kong Yuen: “My father is asking if the clinic sells this powder? He finds it quite useful for my pet Richard’s skin.”
Dr Sing WhatsApp: “Is there skin disease?”“There are some itchy/redness at the neck area and my dad uses the powder for his leg wound.”
IMAGE: Left side of neck is itchy
IMAGE: E-collar & antibiotic powder will not resolve the ingrown toe nail problem (arrow)
"Your old dog's blood test showed normal liver and kidneys," I told the owner. "But he has a serious left-sided heart murmur. His heart has not functioned normally. Hence water accumulates inside his lungs. That is why he coughs and his nose drips watery drops. A dog with a bad heart is at high risk of dying under anaesthesia.""If he dies on the operating table, so be it!" the father wanted the swollen and large right hind leg dew claw to be surgically removed. "I can get a Pomeranian puppy for my daughter!". His young adult daughter stared at him with wide eyes behind her big rimmed spectacles. His slim wife arched her eyebrows and wrinkled her nose. They were used to his morbid sense of humour and did not tell him off.
The daughter had graduated from the University some 3 years ago. It seemed only yesterday when she was a teenager in Secondary One school. She would WhatsApp images of her dog's foot conditions to me. That was how I kept in contact.
The slightly heavy weighted father had no hypertension or diabetes unlike his peers. He ought to retire, but he was a part-time Grab driver. He would send or pick up the Shih Tzu to and from North West Singapore to Toa Payoh Vets. The trip took 30 minutes. The mother who worked in a clinic was as slim as a fashion model, so unlike the typical married Chinese woman in her 60s. She had radiating pain down on both sides of her neck one day and was diagnosed to be hypertensive. So the early diagnosis and treatment prevented a stroke and she was ok.
"Take the heart medication and antibiotics for one week before operation," I said. "No more cream, antiseptic washes and tight bandaging of the right hind leg. I will use the minimal gas anaesthetic and electrosurgery to remove this dew claw tumour or granuloma!"
CONSULTATION - 12 MAY 2022
An old coughing Shih Tzu has a right hind dew claw "tumour". The owner requested surgical removal since the "tumour" had recurred after my first treatment using steroid injection one month ago.
I gave this Shih Tzu her first vaccination as a puppy in 2008. 14 years flew by. I am 71 years old and am as old as this dog. The human equivalent age of a 14-year-old dog is 7 times 14 which is equal to 70 years.
This is one of the rare cases of a loyal client who sticks to Toa Payoh Vets as he lives some 30 minutes away from my surgery. Nowadays, there will be a veterinary surgery within 5 minutes' drive or walk. So proximity is favoured to loyalty.
I scheduled surgery 19 May 2022.
Video
7/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had mouth ulcers. Dental scaling
The 14-year-old Shih Tzu was "choosy" about eating food for the
past 2 weeks. Examination showed inflamed gums and inner lips with an
ulcer seen. "With an infected ulcerated mouth, the dog will be
painful. Hence he could not eat hard food like his favourite beef
cubes," I explained to the owner.
As to what caused his mouth ulcerations, the owner said the dog licked
the floor despite being restrained by an Elizabeth collar.Gum and mouth ulcerations 3 days ago. Dental scaling under general
anaesthetic now. Toilet floor to be wiped with clean cloth after washing away the detergent.
I gave an injection of antibitoic and anti-inflammatory.
“No more oral antibiotics,” I told the owner as he said that the
dog would avoid the food or bite him when he tried to give oral
medication.
On follow-up 3 days later, the owner said the dog was back to his naughty active self, barking loudly at family members and could eat beef chunks. As at 4 Jun 2022, the dog is as normal as can be. The
Grab private-hire car owner is most happy.
MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/405Video 3/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had swollen Right Hind dew claw excised by electrosurgery by me 7 days ago. Review today. No infection.
26 May 2022: Right Hind dew claw was removed by me 7 days ago. Now I review the operation site. It is OK. No infection but there is still bleeding as the owner had bandaged tightly. MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
Video 6/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had no recurring perineal hernias after operation 7 years ago.
26 MAY 2022: Bilateral perineal hernias operated by me around 7 years ago did not recur
The video shows the scars on the right and left perineum of the 14-year-old Shih Tzu. I repaired the bilateral hernias some 7 years ago and did advise neuter as this surgical condition of bulging back sides beside the tail --- both left and right perineal hernias occur in NON-neutered males in 99% of the cases. Female dogs seldom get perineal hernias.
The owner did not return for neuter. The dog has never got perineal hernias again and now he is 14 years old. He does urine spray but not inside the apartment.
MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4053-14-year-old-shih-tzu-has-rh-dew.html
-----------------------------------------------
Video 5/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had swollen Right Hind dew claw excised by
electrosurgery by me 7 days ago. Review today. No infection. 26 May
2022: RH Dew claw removed 7 days ago. Now I review the operation
site. It is OK. No infection but there is still bleeding as the owner
had bandaged tightly. MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4053-14-year-old-shih-tzu-has-rh-dew.html
---------------------------------
Video 4/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had RH dew claw removed electro-surgically 7 days ago. Review of operation site. No infections.
26 MAY 2022: Review of right hind dew claw wound 7 days after operation to remove the large swollen dew claw. No infections.On phone call follow-up on 2 Jun 2022, the owner said the dog was back to his naughty active self, barking loudly at family members and could eat beef chunks. As at 4 Jun 2022, the dog is as normal as can be. The stitches are self-dissolving and some parts had fallen off.The Grab private-hire car owner, his wife and young adult daughter are most happy. MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4053-14-year-old-shih-tzu-has-rh-dew.html
------------------------------------
Video 3/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had swollen Right Hind dew claw excised by
electrosurgery by me 7 days ago. Review today. No infection. 26 May
2022: Right Hind dew claw was removed by me 7 days ago. Now I review
the operation site. It is OK. No infection but there is still
bleeding as the owner had bandaged tightly. MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4053-14-year-old-shih-tzu-has-rh-dew.html
-------------------------------------------
Video 2/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had swollen Right Hind dew claw excised by electrosurgery by me 7 days ago. Review today. No infection. 26 May 2022: Right Hind dew claw was removed by me 7 days ago. Now I review the operation site. It is OK. No infection but there is still bleeding as the owner had bandaged tightly. MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/05/4053-14-year-old-shih-tzu-has-rh-dew.html
---------------------------------------
Video 1A/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had large swollen right hind dew claw. Surgery today.
19 MAY 2022: The dog had a swollen right hind dew claw for several weeks. Around 4 weeks ago, I injected steroid into the claw. The swelling subsided for some days. The dog must have had licked it as it swelled again. The owner wanted surgical removal and was willing to take the anaesthetic risk of death on the operating table as the dog was old and had heart disease. I operated using a low dose of IV domitor and ketamine and isoflurane gas. I ligated the blood vessels above the dew claw after excision of the claw using electro-surgery. It is important to ligate this blood vessel above the dew claw which had a rubber band tourniquet.
After removal of the claw, I stitched up using 3/0 dissolvable sutures and bandaged the foot. The dog recovered well when reviewed on 22 MAY 2022.
As at 4 Jun 2022, the dog is as normal as can be. The Grab private-hire car owner is most happy.
MORE INFO AND UPDATES AT:
Video 1/7. 14-year-old Shih Tzu had large swollen right hind dew claw. Surgery today.
19 MAY 2022: The dog had a swollen right hind dew claw for several
weeks. Around 4 weeks ago, I injected steroid into the claw. The
swelling subsided for some days. The dog must have had licked it as
it swelled again. The owner wanted surgical removal and was willing
to take the anaesthetic risk of death on the operating table as the
dog was old and had heart disease. I operated using a low dose of IV
domitor and ketamine and isoflurane gas. I ligated the blood vessels
above the dew claw after excision of the claw using electro-surgery.
It is important to ligate this blood vessel above the dew claw which
had a rubber band tourniquet.
After removal of the claw, I
stitched up using 3/0 dissolvable sutures and bandaged the foot. The
dog recovered well when reviewed on 22 MAY 2022.
As at 4 Jun 2022, the dog is as normal as can be. The Grab private-hire
