4799. VET CASE STUDY: Syrian hamster's large right forearm wound. 24 Jan 2026. Telehealth consult by Dr Sing Kong Yuen.

24 Jan 2026. 5pm. Saturday.
Phone discussion with owner over the video sent by her.

16-month female Syrian Hamster, 180 g.

1. Telehealth consultation on 6 January 2025, with Dr Sing Kong Yuen earlier for
left nose swelling which had subsided after treatment by Dr Daniel at Toa Payoh Vets.

2. 12 Jan 2025, she had large left ear swelling, likely abscess. Owner did NOT want surgery

to treat abscess and remove left ear canal. Medication continued.

Around 22 Jan 2026, abscess subsided 90%.
At the same time, a small black right forearm wound was noticed.

It enlarged to present size.

3. 24 Jan 2026, large right forearm wound. Looked black,

likely flesh-eating bacteria, self-inflicted biting and bleeding.

Owner had not applied any liquid onto this wound. Hamster is still active and eating.

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

TREATMENT OF A LARGE BLACK INFECTED WOUND.

24 Jan 2026 advices via telehealth conversation:


Left forearm black wound and swelling for over 10 days.
Keep biting the wound.
Hamster is on 20th day antibiotics, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory from vet

at Toa Payoh Vets.
Still active and eating.
"Wound drier now", said owner today.

MY ADVICES:
1. Den. Hamster squeezed inside "house den", storing things.

Entrance too narrow, causing right forearm wound to be traumatised on going in and out.

Hygiene. Owner cleans it every 4 days.

Change to bigger den with wide entrance or widen entrance to den.

2. Green Christmas tree to be removed to prevent accidental contact with wound.

3. Feed bowl small is OK. Hamster cannot get inside to take the seeds, traumatising wound.

4. Water bowl. OK. Hamster drinks. No space for water bottle, hence bowl.

5. Exercise wheel. Still using.

6. Generalised hair loss abnormal but present for some months.

I suspect hormonal imbalance.

7. Paper. No litter now, hence no trauma to wound.


8. HYGIENE. Use boiled water cooled it. Soak right forearm into container

of water to rinse off saliva and dirt from large wound. Tissue to dry forearm and wound.

Once daily.
Owner had used Normal saline to clean wound, but hamster keeps licking

off the saline. "Ït is not normal for the hamster to smell and taste saline,"I said to owner.

CONCLUSION:
In veterinary cases, large wound treatment may need veterinary

review every 5 - 7 days, but few owners in Singapore have time to do it.

UPDATE:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4799-vet-case-study-syrian-hamsters.html

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

 

 

 24 Jan 2026Syrian hamster, F, 16 months

WOUND Right forearmBig, black, irregular shapePresent over 14 days

ActiveEating

PAST 20 DAYS

Antibiotics

Anti-histamine

Anti-inflammatory

4798. #wildlife Singapore #photography Asian #koel and Little #heron in #yish...

4797. #wildlife Singapore. The Asian #koel and Little #heron #photography

 

 

 

 This female Asian Koel perched on a small tree
in the Botanic Garden of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

A Garden so small, you will walk through in 5 minutes.

A bird so big and far, you will need zoom lens to
photograph it. Your smartphone will be useless.

 

 After visiting a hospitalised grandmother, I hoped to
photograph uncommon birds in this Garden.

A flurry of winds rustled the leaves.    
This big patterned bird appeared for a few seconds.
She was hidden amongst the leaves. I got one good shot.

She came back. 
To give me a SECOND CHANCE.

 

 This short WILDLIFE SINGAPORE video
documents two amazing birds seen in
the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital. 

You just saw the first bird - the female Asian Koel
with patterned plumage. If you see the male, he
has only glossy black feathers.

The second is what I believe to be the Little Heron
He was seen on 2 consecutive days.
 

Standing still, like a statue.
Eyes and long beak at one fixed spot in the water.

A sudden extension of his neck to snap the little fish or insect
Inside the clear waters of the Yishun Pond.

He lifted one foot very slowly, put it down
without rippling the waters, to move forward.

To stalk swimmers
But it was a time of famine for him.

I took photos but forgot video on the first day.

 The next morning, he was present in the 
same cul-de-sac part of Yishun Pond.
A second chance to take a video which
is much better than still images.

I thank Mr Brian Peck for sharing his
beautiful white-headed munia and sparrow
photos which add interest to this video. 

  

In conclusion, when life gives you a SECOND CHANCE
in living, in love or in better health, you should have 
been prepared - not to waste the opportunity.

A photographer should have his camera at all times
to capture the shots or video.

This wildlife video is dedicated to my grandchildren, the
oldest is 7 years old. She is 68 years younger than me!  

 

 

4796. CREATING A VIDEO "SECOND CHANCES" The Asian Koel

 This female Asian Koel perched on a small tree
in the Botanic Garden of Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

A Garden so small, you will walk through in 5 minutes.

A bird so big and far, you will need zoom lens to
photograph it. Your smartphone will be useless.

 

After visiting a hospitalised grandmother, I hoped to
photograph uncommon birds in this Garden.

A flurry of winds rustled the leaves.   
This big patterned bird appeared for a few seconds.
She was hidden amongst the leaves. I got one good shot.

She came back.
To give me a SECOND CHANCE.

 

This short WILDLIFE SINGAPORE video
documents two amazing birds seen in
the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

You just saw the first bird - the female Asian Koel
with patterned plumage. If you see the male, he
has only glossy black feathers.

The second is what I believe to be the Little Heron
He was seen on 2 consecutive days.
 

Standing still, like a statue.
Eyes and long beak at one fixed spot in the water.

A sudden extension of his neck to snap the little fish or insect
Inside the clear waters of the Yishun Pond.

He lifted one foot very slowly, put it down
without rippling the waters, to move forward.

To stalk swimmers
But it was a time of famine for him.

I took photos but forgot video on the first day.

The next morning, he was present in the
same cul-de-sac part of Yishun Pond.
A second chance to take a video which
is much better than still images.

I thank Mr Brian Peck for sharing his
beautiful white-headed munia and sparrow
photos which add interest to this video. 

  

In conclusion, when life gives you a SECOND CHANCE

in living, in love or in better health, you should have 

been prepared - not to waste the opportunity.

A photographer should have his camera at all times

to capture the shots or video.

This wildlife video is dedicated to my grandchildren, the

oldest is 7 years old. She is 68 years younger than me! 

 

UPDATE
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4796-creating-video-second-chances.html 

 

4795. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm. Night. Pei School of Dance. tv mode, iso auto

 

21 Jan 2026. 8pm
A clear breezy night.  

Canon R5, 75-300mm, tv mode, 80mm, 1/800 sec, f/4, iso 12800. Focus on "PEI".

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

 

 

 Once upon a time, there was a school in Singapore. A school called Pei

 [06:12, 24/01/2026] Dr David Sing: It was a clear breezy night on 21 Jan 2026. 8pm
[06:12, 24/01/2026] Dr David Sing: The school was named Pei School of Dance
[08:12, 24/01/2026] Liang Pei Womg: Thanks dad!
[08:12, 24/01/2026] Liang Pei Womg: V nice

4794. PHOTOGRAPHY 75 - 300mm lens. Pongal Festival

Pongal is a vibrant, four-day South Indian harvest festival, especially prominent in Tamil Nadu, celebrated around mid-January to thank the Sun God (Surya) for abundance, marking the start of the Tamil month of Thai. Celebrations involve cooking a sweet rice dish (the namesake Pongal that boils over), decorating homes with rangoli, honoring cattle, and strengthening family bonds, symbolizing gratitude for nature's gifts and a prosperous new year. 

Key Aspects of the Festival:

• Meaning: "Pongal" means "to boil over," referring to the overflowing pot of rice and milk symbolizing prosperity.
• Timing: Celebrated annually from January 14-17, aligning with Makar Sankranti and the Sun's northward journey (Uttarayan).
• Four Days:
  • Bhogi Pongal: Spring cleaning, discarding old possessions, honoring Indra (God of Rain).
  • Surya Pongal (or Thai Pongal): Main day; cooking the Pongal dish, offering to the Sun God.
  • Mattu Pongal: Honoring cattle, adorning them with flowers and decorations.
  • Kannum Pongal: Family gatherings, elders giving blessings, community feasts.
• Traditions:
  • Pongal Dish: A sweet pudding of freshly harvested rice, milk, jaggery, and cardamom, cooked in a new pot.
  • Decorations: Elaborate rice-flour rangoli designs are made on doorsteps.
  • Cultural Significance: A way to connect with heritage, express gratitude, and foster intergenerational bonds. 

Celebrated By: Primarily Tamils worldwide, transcending religious boundaries to become a cultural celebration of harvest and nature's bounty. 

 

 Canon R5, 75 - 300 mm lens. Inside car

21 Jan 2026, 3.46pm

75mm, 1/2000 sec, f/4.5, iso 100

 

4793. Pink flowers - Chinese New Year decorations - Artificial pink cherry blossom flowers

 

 

Symbolism of Pink in Chinese New Year:

While red and gold are the primary colors for wealth and luck, pink is used to convey joy, gentle prosperity, romance, and friendship, adding a sophisticated and elegant touch to traditional Happy Chinese New Year decor. 

 

Artificial pink cherry blossom flowers
Large pink and red flowers
Red lanterns with gold bands
Gold base

21 Jan 2026. 2.26pm
Canon R5, 75mm, 1/800 sec, f/16, ISO 8000
The Cathay's Chinese New Year decorations 

using red, orange and pink colours.

4792. VET CASE. Large ear canal abscess and/or tumour in a 17-month-old female Syrian hamster

 

 

VET CASE STUDY: PROMPT VETERINARY TREATMENT SAVES LIVES. 

A GIGANTIC EAR ABSCESS IN A SYRIAN HAMSTER.
EAR CANAL TUMOUR AND INFECTIONS. WHAT TO DO?
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow). 21 Jan 2026. 

BE KIND TO PETS VETERINARY EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
sponsored by Toa Payoh Vets 

SINGAPORE - 14 JAN 2026: A 16-month-old female Syrian hamster has a large swelling below the left ear. "It is quite soft," Jasmine texted to me. "The cause is likely to be an abscess with or without left lateral ear canal tumours," I replied. "Prompt veterinary treatment is needed."

ANAESTHESIA. "All anaesthesia carries risk of death," said Dr Daniel. "Hence you have been briefed about the risks and sign the Anaesthetic Consent form."

"As the hamster is eating, she will likely survive the anaesthesia and surgery. The later the surgery is done, the higher the risk of death as the hamster will become weaker due to bacterial infections."

SURGERY will be two procedures:
1. Ear Amputation: Removal of the lateral ear canal (brown rectangle). It will likely have ear canal tumours and pus.
2. Lance and drain the giant skin abscess below the ear (yellow oval).
After thorough cleaning of the wound, the skin is stitched up (blue crosses).

PROGNOSIS:
The Syrian hamster will lead a normal life. Its life span is 2.5 to 3 years. Therefore, this
AMPUTATION of the lateral ear canal with tumours SAVES HER LIFE.

NO SURGERY DONE:
Some owners may prefer no surgery to avoid ear canal amputation.
Abscess gets larger and larger. The hamster scratches it to relieve her pain and itchiness.  The bacterial infection will likely spread to the eye, nose, gums, brain, internal organs. It ruptures due to scratching (red bars), spilling tattered rotting tissues and pus. The hamster stops eating and dies of sepsis.
Euthanaisa. Death before her time.   

CONCLUSION:
Prompt veterinary treatment saves lives, in this case. Amputation of the lateral ear canal, likely with ear tumours inside, will NOT affect the quality of life of this Syrian hamster. She will lead a normal life as she has around 8 - 14 months to live, assuming a life span of 2.5 to 3 years.   

 
UPDATE: 

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4792-vet-case-large-ear-canal-abscess.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canon R5  24-105mm lens

103mm, 1/3200 sec, f/4, iso 180. AV mode
paper on sunlight on road outside gate
21 Jan 2026. 11.08 am

handheld

 

 

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