Perth
Sunday, Oct 3, 2010
How do I connect with a group of undergraduates who are at least 26 years older than me? I would say that this group of 3 vet students would be from 22 to 24 years of age and I am 3 times older and how should I carry on an easy conversation with them?
A common interest in veterinary medicine mixed with a sense of humour is the key to interactions during a meal. But it is not easy to make the young adults feel that there is a two-generation gap between them and me making their acceptance to a farewell lunch a boring event with an old foggie.
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon and this Northbridge Chinese Restaurant in Perth was packed. We were given a smaller room away from the noise of the main eating area. The others at the two tables in this room were quietly eating.
It happened that one of the 3 vet students was not aware of my concept of a veterinary talk show that I deemed great for one of the vet students (not present at this lunch and whom I will name as Boo for the purpose of this story) I had shared with the other two yesterday. So I told him.
"You know," I said to this serious young man whom I shall call Ashton. "The name of the veterinary clinic should be 'Boo Clinic.' Dr Boo would host the veterinary talk show in Singapore. There would be an audience of pet owners at the show. One of them would ask her pet care questions related to a theme, for example skin diseases. She would examine the pet and give her advices.
After that, the audience will clap their hands in appreciation. Dr Boo will stand on a stage and sing a love song of unrequited love. That will make the young girls in the audience weep. A group of dancers will appear and swing with her as she sings. Another singer appears and there is more dancing. The audience claps their hands on cue in loud applause!"
The young man's eyes opened and shook his head as if he was saying: "What sort of whacky concept is to propose to Boo?"
I continued: "The veterinary clinic should be named "Peek-A-Boo" as it is such a good name to remember. The classmates will work in the background as more pet owners come to patronise this clinic. No need to worry about no business or falling turnover as Dr Boo brings in the fame and fortune.
The veterinary talk show should be called 'Peek-A-Boo' as I connect the surname with this English phrase I learnt in primary school. All dancers should wear a mask to peek at each other as they turn to face each other during dancing....
The young man's two classmates laughed loudly. Except for this serious young man. "I don't want to be associated with your mad scheme!" he exclaimed.
We had so much laughter. Laughter is the best medicine. Fortunately for me, Boo was not present at this lunch as I don't know whether she would appreciate the sense of humour at the use of her name. We ended the lunch on a happy note for my guests and I hope for this serious young man.
Friday, October 8, 2010
217. A sense of humour in a child
A sense of humour is much appreciated during social interactions such as wedding dinners and meetings. But how does one acquire a sense of humour? Is humour inherent in a person's DNA or is it acquired through a good command of English in an intelligent person? I have no answer.
Yesterday, I was at a pet shop which sells rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. The pet shop owner has two daughters, Jane and Juliet aged 6 and 7 years old respectively. "Jane is a monkey," the mother told me when Jane showed a black face, put her hands on both sides of her waist and narrowed her eyes as the shop assistant disallowed her to take her lunch out of the shop to eat with other friends. She refused to eat lunch. Her mum explained to me: "Jane throws tantrums when she is not allowed to do what she wants. She was born in the year of the monkey and is a monkey. I give her three warnings to behave. Then I will give her a canning."
There was really a cane with a pink hook in the pet shop. As for Juliet, the mum's face brighten as she said: "Yesterday, Juliet told her brother that he needs to learn how to bottle fed the baby brother so that he can help his wife." I saw Juliet helping the mum to scan the pet products for sale.
This was a 7-year-old studying in Primary Two in a neighbourhood school in the heartlands. Not one of those fancy high-pressure primary schools of Singapore. I asked Juliet whether she had a story book for me to read and she took out "Under The Sea" published by Usborne as a beginner's series for young readers, level 1.
Every few seconds, Julie would ask to take back her book to keep inside her school backpack. Mum explained: "She will keep her story books in a good condition."
On the table where I read her book were three plastic containers with longan desserts and ice. The table was wet due to the melting of the ice causing dripping of water onto the table. Juliet came again to ask for her book back. "Let Dr Sing read your book," Mum said. Finally she got her book back. She put it on the table for a while. "Hey," I said. "Your book is now wet. You need to dry the cover up with a piece of tissue paper. Ask your mum for the tissue paper."
"No need," she said. "The book is under the sea." The title of the book was "Under the Sea" and I was surprised that this 7-year-old girl had that sense of humour to surprise me. I advised the mum that she should switch this child to a better school to give her the opportunity to grow intellectually as she has what it takes to be a scholar.
Yesterday, I was at a pet shop which sells rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters. The pet shop owner has two daughters, Jane and Juliet aged 6 and 7 years old respectively. "Jane is a monkey," the mother told me when Jane showed a black face, put her hands on both sides of her waist and narrowed her eyes as the shop assistant disallowed her to take her lunch out of the shop to eat with other friends. She refused to eat lunch. Her mum explained to me: "Jane throws tantrums when she is not allowed to do what she wants. She was born in the year of the monkey and is a monkey. I give her three warnings to behave. Then I will give her a canning."
There was really a cane with a pink hook in the pet shop. As for Juliet, the mum's face brighten as she said: "Yesterday, Juliet told her brother that he needs to learn how to bottle fed the baby brother so that he can help his wife." I saw Juliet helping the mum to scan the pet products for sale.
This was a 7-year-old studying in Primary Two in a neighbourhood school in the heartlands. Not one of those fancy high-pressure primary schools of Singapore. I asked Juliet whether she had a story book for me to read and she took out "Under The Sea" published by Usborne as a beginner's series for young readers, level 1.
Every few seconds, Julie would ask to take back her book to keep inside her school backpack. Mum explained: "She will keep her story books in a good condition."
On the table where I read her book were three plastic containers with longan desserts and ice. The table was wet due to the melting of the ice causing dripping of water onto the table. Juliet came again to ask for her book back. "Let Dr Sing read your book," Mum said. Finally she got her book back. She put it on the table for a while. "Hey," I said. "Your book is now wet. You need to dry the cover up with a piece of tissue paper. Ask your mum for the tissue paper."
"No need," she said. "The book is under the sea." The title of the book was "Under the Sea" and I was surprised that this 7-year-old girl had that sense of humour to surprise me. I advised the mum that she should switch this child to a better school to give her the opportunity to grow intellectually as she has what it takes to be a scholar.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
216. A vet talk-and-sing show in Singapore
Saturday, Oct 2, 2010
Perth
Spring in Perth this past week was blue skies and brilliant sunshine during the daytime and coldness at night. Saturday would be my last day of visit to Perth. A choice of dinner at a popular small Italian restaurant packed mainly with young Asian people was excellent. Wood-fried pizza, noodles full of cheese and thick creamy tiramisu cakes would not be advised for the health conscious.
The Caucasian waiters interacted with the young adults very well, sat on the dining chair to take orders, posed for pictures and engaged in conversation, making the experience of eating there fun.
Can this be done at the vet surgery? I don't think any vet would do it. However much depends on the personality of the vet. I would say one particular lady vet student would be the ideal candidate as she had that type of extrovert personality. She was said to be the school cheerleader and was able to converse well.
"I have a good idea for you," I said to her at the end of the gathering. "Forget about being an eye specialist in Singapore. Be a talk show veterinarian. You'll make more money than operating on dog's eyes." To be a canine eye specialist, she would need to study post-graduate as a resident for another 3-4 years. To be a talk show veterinarian, she could do it after graduation. 99% of the vet cohort would not be able to do it. She was that rare bird that would be able to make it in the entertainment industry.
"Singapore is not US," her friend said. "There is no Oprah Winfrey show and therefore no prospects."
"I don't know about that. Singapore has no vet that is passionate and able to host a talk show. She has to start somewhere and that would be in Singapore as the testing ground.
"My idea for this half-an-hour veterinary talk show is for her to discuss one case with a real pet owner, take some questions about pet care from the audience, do a sing and dance routine with dancers with her being the star."
"Is there such a programme in Australia?" I asked the friend.
The friend said: "There is the Bondi Vet on TV."
"Does he look handsome and sing?"
"He is said to be handsome. He does not do any singing."
"If this vet is successful, her vet surgery will be packed with fans. You and the others may be her supporting vets and will not be jobless. Collaboration benefits everyone as each party in the team has his or her own strength."
Singapore might have tried to do some reality TV vet shows. One of them was a concept to follow up on a pet owner who would be present when her dog was put to sleep. I was approached for help in getting an owner who would consent to such a show. I declined. A dog trainer agreed. But the administrative arrangements or a poor script. The dog trainer gave up after some time.
Execution is the key to success in any venture. No money was paid to the dog trainer and there were so many delays. What do you expect the poor dog trainer to live on? The whole project was most likely ditched.
Perth
Spring in Perth this past week was blue skies and brilliant sunshine during the daytime and coldness at night. Saturday would be my last day of visit to Perth. A choice of dinner at a popular small Italian restaurant packed mainly with young Asian people was excellent. Wood-fried pizza, noodles full of cheese and thick creamy tiramisu cakes would not be advised for the health conscious.
The Caucasian waiters interacted with the young adults very well, sat on the dining chair to take orders, posed for pictures and engaged in conversation, making the experience of eating there fun.
Can this be done at the vet surgery? I don't think any vet would do it. However much depends on the personality of the vet. I would say one particular lady vet student would be the ideal candidate as she had that type of extrovert personality. She was said to be the school cheerleader and was able to converse well.
"I have a good idea for you," I said to her at the end of the gathering. "Forget about being an eye specialist in Singapore. Be a talk show veterinarian. You'll make more money than operating on dog's eyes." To be a canine eye specialist, she would need to study post-graduate as a resident for another 3-4 years. To be a talk show veterinarian, she could do it after graduation. 99% of the vet cohort would not be able to do it. She was that rare bird that would be able to make it in the entertainment industry.
"Singapore is not US," her friend said. "There is no Oprah Winfrey show and therefore no prospects."
"I don't know about that. Singapore has no vet that is passionate and able to host a talk show. She has to start somewhere and that would be in Singapore as the testing ground.
"My idea for this half-an-hour veterinary talk show is for her to discuss one case with a real pet owner, take some questions about pet care from the audience, do a sing and dance routine with dancers with her being the star."
"Is there such a programme in Australia?" I asked the friend.
The friend said: "There is the Bondi Vet on TV."
"Does he look handsome and sing?"
"He is said to be handsome. He does not do any singing."
"If this vet is successful, her vet surgery will be packed with fans. You and the others may be her supporting vets and will not be jobless. Collaboration benefits everyone as each party in the team has his or her own strength."
Singapore might have tried to do some reality TV vet shows. One of them was a concept to follow up on a pet owner who would be present when her dog was put to sleep. I was approached for help in getting an owner who would consent to such a show. I declined. A dog trainer agreed. But the administrative arrangements or a poor script. The dog trainer gave up after some time.
Execution is the key to success in any venture. No money was paid to the dog trainer and there were so many delays. What do you expect the poor dog trainer to live on? The whole project was most likely ditched.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Buying products for others
A 71-year-old friend of Dr J asked me to buy hair growth products and glucose strips for him from Perth citizens thinking they would get them cheaper under the National Health Service. My contact said there was no NHS in Australia for citizens according to her search on the internet.
My mission was to buy the cheaper version of the hair loss. However, I don't use his product nor do I know which is the cheaper generic. "Hair A Gain" is what the buyer sms me as to what he has been using and he asked me to look for cheaper generic brands of minoxidil. On the 4th day of my stay in Perth, my contact had no success or advice for me. After dinner, I went to the Pharmacy in the mall. As it was a Thursday, the mall closes at 9 pm. The first product I bought was Men's Regaine Extra Strength as this pharmacy has only this product. This was the expensive original product, around 100% more expensive than "Hair A Gain" and this would not be what the buyer asked for.
It is best to get the Buyer to specify in writing what not to buy and what brands to buy. Now what should I do with Regaine as I don't have hair loss?
My mission was to buy the cheaper version of the hair loss. However, I don't use his product nor do I know which is the cheaper generic. "Hair A Gain" is what the buyer sms me as to what he has been using and he asked me to look for cheaper generic brands of minoxidil. On the 4th day of my stay in Perth, my contact had no success or advice for me. After dinner, I went to the Pharmacy in the mall. As it was a Thursday, the mall closes at 9 pm. The first product I bought was Men's Regaine Extra Strength as this pharmacy has only this product. This was the expensive original product, around 100% more expensive than "Hair A Gain" and this would not be what the buyer asked for.
It is best to get the Buyer to specify in writing what not to buy and what brands to buy. Now what should I do with Regaine as I don't have hair loss?
Vet specialists in Singapore
Is there a need for a veterinary specialist centre in Singapore, one 4th-year vet student asked me.
"Yes," I said.
"Will only expatriates use vet specialists as they are the ones able to pay for the services?" she asked.
"No," I said. "Singapore has locals who are prepared to pay provided they see value for their money."
"So, in 2 years' time, you will be able to be a vet specialist and your husband will be shaking his legs staying at home to look after the babies," I said to the girl. If she undertakes specialist training after graduation, she will be qualified as a specialist in 2 years. Actually it will be more than 2 years but sometimes we must not take life so seriously during dinner conversations.
"No, no," she said. "It will be 10 years." I don't know where she has this 10-year-forecast.
As a vet specialist or referral centre, much depends on the skills of the vet. More important it is the public relations. If such vets are arrogant, no other vets want to refer any case to them at all.
"Yes," I said.
"Will only expatriates use vet specialists as they are the ones able to pay for the services?" she asked.
"No," I said. "Singapore has locals who are prepared to pay provided they see value for their money."
"So, in 2 years' time, you will be able to be a vet specialist and your husband will be shaking his legs staying at home to look after the babies," I said to the girl. If she undertakes specialist training after graduation, she will be qualified as a specialist in 2 years. Actually it will be more than 2 years but sometimes we must not take life so seriously during dinner conversations.
"No, no," she said. "It will be 10 years." I don't know where she has this 10-year-forecast.
As a vet specialist or referral centre, much depends on the skills of the vet. More important it is the public relations. If such vets are arrogant, no other vets want to refer any case to them at all.
213. Vet Surgery - Fusion podoplasty - interdigital cyst
Perth Saturday
Interdigital cysts in dogs are sometimes ignored by the owner. The dog keeps licking till the cysts become infected. Conservative medical treatment does not help after a while.
SURGICAL EXCISION. Normally I advise surgical excision for infected i/d cysts. No more problems usually. But how about three big ones with all i/d webs affected and big scar tissue on the palmar aspect of the paw bridging the 3rd and 4th digit? A successful case report is at: Australian Veterinary Practitioner Vol 40 (2) June 2010, pg 53 - Fusion podoplasty in a dog with inter-digital furunculosis.
I will summarise the case. 10-year-old Collie X, chronic pododermatiiws of the right forepaw unresponsive to conservative treatment.
I/v cephazolin (20mg/kg) at anaesthetic induction. Tourniquet 0.4 Penrose drain clamped with a heemostat distally to the riht carpus. Marker outline the dorsal i/d skin to be removed, leaving 2-3 mm of digital skin adjacent to the nail. Dissection was kept close to the dermis (to preserve e dorsal and palmar digital nerves and bv). All abnormal tissues excised. Tourniquet removed. Bleeding successful controlled by electrocoagulation. Skin 3/0 simple sutures. Surgical time of one hour. Fusidic acid-containing onitment and non-adherent dressings wrapped with an absorbent bandage extending to above the elbow. A plastic spoon-like splint up to the elbow secured with adhesive tape. Bandage and dressing changed twice daily for 7 days and once daily for a total of 15 days. Discharged 3 days with antibiotics and carprofen (2mg/kg po bid).Suture removal 19 days afer surgery. Good granulation tssue.
Conclusion - fusion podoplasty is an effective procedure for the permanent cure for chronic i/d furunculosis in the dog. Considerable bandaging and maybe additional surgeries if more than one paw is affected.
Many dog owners will be unlikely to pay for the vet costs involved. In above case, detailed blood tests, histopathology tests and bandaging post-op. Surgical excision is successful but how many owners will want to pay for the costs?
Interdigital cysts in dogs are sometimes ignored by the owner. The dog keeps licking till the cysts become infected. Conservative medical treatment does not help after a while.
SURGICAL EXCISION. Normally I advise surgical excision for infected i/d cysts. No more problems usually. But how about three big ones with all i/d webs affected and big scar tissue on the palmar aspect of the paw bridging the 3rd and 4th digit? A successful case report is at: Australian Veterinary Practitioner Vol 40 (2) June 2010, pg 53 - Fusion podoplasty in a dog with inter-digital furunculosis.
I will summarise the case. 10-year-old Collie X, chronic pododermatiiws of the right forepaw unresponsive to conservative treatment.
I/v cephazolin (20mg/kg) at anaesthetic induction. Tourniquet 0.4 Penrose drain clamped with a heemostat distally to the riht carpus. Marker outline the dorsal i/d skin to be removed, leaving 2-3 mm of digital skin adjacent to the nail. Dissection was kept close to the dermis (to preserve e dorsal and palmar digital nerves and bv). All abnormal tissues excised. Tourniquet removed. Bleeding successful controlled by electrocoagulation. Skin 3/0 simple sutures. Surgical time of one hour. Fusidic acid-containing onitment and non-adherent dressings wrapped with an absorbent bandage extending to above the elbow. A plastic spoon-like splint up to the elbow secured with adhesive tape. Bandage and dressing changed twice daily for 7 days and once daily for a total of 15 days. Discharged 3 days with antibiotics and carprofen (2mg/kg po bid).Suture removal 19 days afer surgery. Good granulation tssue.
Conclusion - fusion podoplasty is an effective procedure for the permanent cure for chronic i/d furunculosis in the dog. Considerable bandaging and maybe additional surgeries if more than one paw is affected.
Many dog owners will be unlikely to pay for the vet costs involved. In above case, detailed blood tests, histopathology tests and bandaging post-op. Surgical excision is successful but how many owners will want to pay for the costs?
Friday, October 1, 2010
The 65-year-old gardener
"My body is full of cancer cells," the white-haired, 65-year-old grey-eyed white eye-brow gardener said to me when I met him doing gardening at the house where I was staying in Perth. I had asked why he did not retire and just stayed at home. His children were grown up. He reminded me of an old Englishman in the UK during my undergraduate days. This old English man was still active doing gardening and any housework when I stayed at a bed-and-breakfast home in the 1960s.
I was surprised as he was active and busy doing gardening and cleaning the swimming pool. The gardener elaborated: "When the doctor injected some drug into my spine," the drug caused the arsenic in my body system to form scattered small Grade 2 tumours inside my muscles. So, my body is full of cancer cells."
"What treatment did you receive?" I asked. "Some blood changes," he said. "Nothing can be done to eliminate the tumours. It was from arsenic from my 30 years in the printing firm. Arsenic was used for the printing plates at that time."
He was offered blood changes in the US at a cost of US$50,000 but his doctors advised againt it as it would not completely cure him. "Maybe 40%," he said. The gardener had skin cancer and had taken 18 operatrions. He showed me his leg scars after tumour excision and grafting of the skin. Some rough scars but no tumours. Apparently Caucasians and Irish Caucasians are prone to skin cancers. Now, his wife covered his body with UVL cream. Only his hands were free from skin cancers.
Yet this man lives a positive mindset and did a good job at the gardening and pool cleaning. It took him some one hour to do it and getting exposed to the UVL. Will UVL cream prevent skin cancers? He is a guinea pig as the doctors are using his blood and "soon they have a discovery which will benefit his children to prevent skin cancers in the gene."
I was surprised as he was active and busy doing gardening and cleaning the swimming pool. The gardener elaborated: "When the doctor injected some drug into my spine," the drug caused the arsenic in my body system to form scattered small Grade 2 tumours inside my muscles. So, my body is full of cancer cells."
"What treatment did you receive?" I asked. "Some blood changes," he said. "Nothing can be done to eliminate the tumours. It was from arsenic from my 30 years in the printing firm. Arsenic was used for the printing plates at that time."
He was offered blood changes in the US at a cost of US$50,000 but his doctors advised againt it as it would not completely cure him. "Maybe 40%," he said. The gardener had skin cancer and had taken 18 operatrions. He showed me his leg scars after tumour excision and grafting of the skin. Some rough scars but no tumours. Apparently Caucasians and Irish Caucasians are prone to skin cancers. Now, his wife covered his body with UVL cream. Only his hands were free from skin cancers.
Yet this man lives a positive mindset and did a good job at the gardening and pool cleaning. It took him some one hour to do it and getting exposed to the UVL. Will UVL cream prevent skin cancers? He is a guinea pig as the doctors are using his blood and "soon they have a discovery which will benefit his children to prevent skin cancers in the gene."
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