E-MAIL TO DR SING DATE MAY 5, 2011
2011/5/13...@hotmail.com>
To whom it may concern,
My name is ... and I am interested in keeping a dog. I understand that vaccinations against various infectious viruses and diseases are necessary for a puppy. I am also aware that the first vaccination should be administered at 6weeks old and the 2nd vaccination at least 1 week apart from the first vaccination.
I am Dr Sing from Toa Payoh Vets, www.toapayohvets.com. My reply is in CAPITAL LETTERS below.
FIRST VACCINATION CAN BE GIVEN AT 8 WEEKS IF THE PUPPY IS NOT IN A HIGH RISK ENVIRONMENT AND THEREFORE EXPOSED TO VIRAL INFECTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, IN A DOG BREEDING FARM, I ADVISE 6 WEEKS TO VACCINATE.
THE INTERVAL BETWEEN VACCINATION 1 AND 2 WILL BE 3 WEEKS APART ACCORDING TO THE VACCINE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATIONS IN ONE BRAND. GENERALLY SINGAPORE VETS ADVISE 4 WEEKS' INTERVAL.
I would like to enquire about the 8-in-one and 9-in one vaccinations. Are they suitable for puppies for their 1st and 2nd vaccination, or are they meant for yearly vaccinations ? THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES AVAILABLE AND APPROVED IN SINGAPORE. THEY HAVE BEEN USED IN lst and 2nd vaccinations with relatively very few deaths of puppies after vaccination in puppies at 6 weeks of age.
Also, would it be advisable to buy a puppy from a pet farm (say, in Pasir Ris) as compared to a normal pet shop (since the pets there would have already been vaccinated)?
IN MY OPINION, IT IS BEST FROM A TECHNICAL POINT OF VIEW, TO BUY A PUPPY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE SECOND/THIRD VACCINATION BUT THEY ARE NOT THAT CUTE AS THEY WILL BE OVER 3 MONTHS OF AGE. THEREFORE, IT CAN BE EITHER FROM A PET SHOP OR FROM A PET FARM.
IN ANY CASE, IN 2011, I WOULD SAY THAT ALMOST ALL PET SHOPS IN SINGAPORE GET THEIR PUPPIES SUPPLIED BY THE DOG BREEDING FARMS OR IMPORTED FROM AUSTRALIA NOWADAYS. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO BUY SOME PUPPIES FROM THE "ENDANGERED" HOME-BREEDERS BUT THE CHOICE OF BREED IS LIMITED.
I appreciate your time in reading and answering my queries.
IT IS INTERESTING TO GET QUESTIONS FROM THE PROSPECTIVE PUPPY BUYER'S SITUATION.
Thank you(:
Name
E-MAIL TO DR SING DATE MAY 12, 2011
Dr Sing,
Thank you for clearing my doubts. It helped me in deciding if I should get a really young dog around 2months plus. I was pretty worried. "Cuteness" isn't a big issue as long as the puppy is healthy (:
Thanks a lot again !
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
HDB flats
As the high cost of HDB flats has been a hot potato in the Singapore General Elections 2011, I will be writing some info about this category for the benefit of those taking the REA and RES examinations.
HISTORY (from the HDB Gallery at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh)
1960 Formation of HDB - builds HDB flats (public housing)
1964 Home Ownership For the People Scheme
1965 Toa Payoh Town is the first HDB development built. Known as the Chicago (gangsters were many there) of Singapore
1967 Land Acquisition Act to acquire land for public housing and infrastructure development
1968 CPF Act. Allows CPF savings to be used to buy HDB flat
1971 Resale of HDB Flats - allows HDB flats to be sold on the open market
(Only the CPF ordinary account is allowed to be used to pay for mortgage. CPF Special Account can be used if the Minimum Sum Scheme - MSS ? - is already inside the Special Account (as much as over $100,000)at the age of 55 when the person withdraws his CPF. To complicate calculations only 50% of the difference between the Excess over MSS and the MSS can be used to pay the mortgage if the 120% Valuation Limit is exceeded.....Another formula to be studied is needed!
1982 Multi-tier Family Scheme - priority for extended families to buy new HDB flat so that they can live nearby
1985 "Two bites of Cherry Concept". Singapore Citizens are allowed to buy 2 subsidized flats which they can resell in the opoen market. (In practice, they get two concessionary housing loans from the HDB. Subsidized flats are said to be 10-30% cheaper than resale flats)
1988 Town Council Act - manages and maintain public housing estates
1989 Ethic Integration Policy - EIP - prevents the formation of ethnic enclaves by ensuring a good racial mix in the HDB estates. (With effect from Mar 5, 2010, the NMPR (Non-Malaysian Permanent Resident) ethnic group is introduced as follows: Ethnic Proportion in the neighourhood is 5% subject to "above quota" and 8% in each block subject to "above quota" as elaborated below:
The Ethnic Proportion in HDB Estates are as follows:
Ethnic Group Neighbourhood Each block
Chinese 84% 87%
Malay 22% 25%
Indian & Others 12% 15%
NMPR 5% subject to 8% subject to
above quota above quota
1991 Design & Build Scheme - DBS - Allows private architects to design public housing
1992 Main Upgrading Programe - MUP - To improve the living conditons of residents in older estates and to make them on par with the new towns
1994 CPF Housing Grant Scheme - $30,000 to families buying resale flats (NOT new HDB flats) within a 2-km radius of their parents' or married children's home. (According to my REA lecture notes, the Family Grant is $30,000. The Family Grant to stay near parents is $40,000.
1995 Executive Condominium Housing Scheme - young professional couples who cannot afford the high prices of private homes. An income ceiling cap of up to $10,000. (Apparently it is $12,000 if they stay near parents). MOP 5 years. Can sell on to those eligible when MOP is 5-10 years and after 10 years, can sell on the open market. Has condo facilities. Any management corporation? I need to check on this.
Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme - SERS - optimise land use by redeveloping old estates without diluting strong community ties. (Much details of the MOP 5 to 7 years etc to be memorised by the student for the exam!)
1996 Estate Renewal Strategy - ERS - systematically re-develop older estates & improving the living environment for residents
1997 Studio Apartments with elderly-friendly features as another housing option for the elderly. (Right-sizing replaces down-sizing as a term to be studied by the students!)
2000 40th Anniversary. 88% of the population live in public housing
Special Housing Assistance Program - SHAP - assist low-income household to own their homes
2001 Lift Upgrading Program - LUP - to provide lift access to every floor level in the HDB block. (In the old days, the HDB built some levels without access to lifts. You got to walk up or down two levels to get to the lifts. This is tough for the old folks.)
Build To Order Program - BTO - to match supply of HDB flats to actual demand
Rental Flat Upgrading Projects - improve the living environment for tenants
2006 Additional Housing Grant - AHG - to help the lower income to buy 2- to 3-room HDB flats
2009 Lease Buyback Scheme - LBS - low-income elderly Singaporeans who live in 3-room or smaller flats can opt to sell the tail end of the lease back to the HDB, leaving a shorter 30-year-lease for themselves. The sales proceeds will be used to buy a CPF Annuity that yields a monthly payout for life.
(Many RES and REA students will not understand what "tail end" means. The LBS starts when the person is 62 years old. As an example, at 62 years old, his remaining lease is 40 years. He keeps the last 30 years of the lease so that he can live in his own HDB flat. The difference is 10 years of lease to be sold to the HDB (40-30). This 10 years is the "tail end" of the lease.
HDB then uses the sales proceeds to purchase the CPF Annuity for him. The Annuity then pays him a monthly income till he dies. In addition, the Government gives him $5,000 cash upfront and another $5,000 to pay for the CPF Annuity too. I hope students of RES and REA can understand now.
In this example, the 62-year old would have to live to 102 years old (62+10+30) and will get a monthly income up to 102 years old!
2010 50th Anniversary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The above info is from the HDB Gallery.
Feb 18, 2011 Low-income Special Housing Grant - SHG - is paid to lower-income families that have an average household income of up to $2,500 to help them to buy 2- to 3-room HDB BTO flats. This is in addition to the AHG and the Family Grant of $30,000 and Family Grant to stay near parents of $40,000.
The Design, Build & Sell Scheme - DBSS - to permit private developers to build the flats for sale to those whose household income is capped at $10,000. The HDB owns the land and HDB and the Town Council will manage the DBSS flats after completion. No condo facilities.
There are so many facts and figures to remember. It will not be a surprise that the HDB officers can't remember each and every one of them! It will be tough to pass the REA exam if one cannot remember the various HDB schemes and eligibility!
HISTORY (from the HDB Gallery at HDB Hub in Toa Payoh)
1960 Formation of HDB - builds HDB flats (public housing)
1964 Home Ownership For the People Scheme
1965 Toa Payoh Town is the first HDB development built. Known as the Chicago (gangsters were many there) of Singapore
1967 Land Acquisition Act to acquire land for public housing and infrastructure development
1968 CPF Act. Allows CPF savings to be used to buy HDB flat
1971 Resale of HDB Flats - allows HDB flats to be sold on the open market
(Only the CPF ordinary account is allowed to be used to pay for mortgage. CPF Special Account can be used if the Minimum Sum Scheme - MSS ? - is already inside the Special Account (as much as over $100,000)at the age of 55 when the person withdraws his CPF. To complicate calculations only 50% of the difference between the Excess over MSS and the MSS can be used to pay the mortgage if the 120% Valuation Limit is exceeded.....Another formula to be studied is needed!
1982 Multi-tier Family Scheme - priority for extended families to buy new HDB flat so that they can live nearby
1985 "Two bites of Cherry Concept". Singapore Citizens are allowed to buy 2 subsidized flats which they can resell in the opoen market. (In practice, they get two concessionary housing loans from the HDB. Subsidized flats are said to be 10-30% cheaper than resale flats)
1988 Town Council Act - manages and maintain public housing estates
1989 Ethic Integration Policy - EIP - prevents the formation of ethnic enclaves by ensuring a good racial mix in the HDB estates. (With effect from Mar 5, 2010, the NMPR (Non-Malaysian Permanent Resident) ethnic group is introduced as follows: Ethnic Proportion in the neighourhood is 5% subject to "above quota" and 8% in each block subject to "above quota" as elaborated below:
The Ethnic Proportion in HDB Estates are as follows:
Ethnic Group Neighbourhood Each block
Chinese 84% 87%
Malay 22% 25%
Indian & Others 12% 15%
NMPR 5% subject to 8% subject to
above quota above quota
1991 Design & Build Scheme - DBS - Allows private architects to design public housing
1992 Main Upgrading Programe - MUP - To improve the living conditons of residents in older estates and to make them on par with the new towns
1994 CPF Housing Grant Scheme - $30,000 to families buying resale flats (NOT new HDB flats) within a 2-km radius of their parents' or married children's home. (According to my REA lecture notes, the Family Grant is $30,000. The Family Grant to stay near parents is $40,000.
1995 Executive Condominium Housing Scheme - young professional couples who cannot afford the high prices of private homes. An income ceiling cap of up to $10,000. (Apparently it is $12,000 if they stay near parents). MOP 5 years. Can sell on to those eligible when MOP is 5-10 years and after 10 years, can sell on the open market. Has condo facilities. Any management corporation? I need to check on this.
Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme - SERS - optimise land use by redeveloping old estates without diluting strong community ties. (Much details of the MOP 5 to 7 years etc to be memorised by the student for the exam!)
1996 Estate Renewal Strategy - ERS - systematically re-develop older estates & improving the living environment for residents
1997 Studio Apartments with elderly-friendly features as another housing option for the elderly. (Right-sizing replaces down-sizing as a term to be studied by the students!)
2000 40th Anniversary. 88% of the population live in public housing
Special Housing Assistance Program - SHAP - assist low-income household to own their homes
2001 Lift Upgrading Program - LUP - to provide lift access to every floor level in the HDB block. (In the old days, the HDB built some levels without access to lifts. You got to walk up or down two levels to get to the lifts. This is tough for the old folks.)
Build To Order Program - BTO - to match supply of HDB flats to actual demand
Rental Flat Upgrading Projects - improve the living environment for tenants
2006 Additional Housing Grant - AHG - to help the lower income to buy 2- to 3-room HDB flats
2009 Lease Buyback Scheme - LBS - low-income elderly Singaporeans who live in 3-room or smaller flats can opt to sell the tail end of the lease back to the HDB, leaving a shorter 30-year-lease for themselves. The sales proceeds will be used to buy a CPF Annuity that yields a monthly payout for life.
(Many RES and REA students will not understand what "tail end" means. The LBS starts when the person is 62 years old. As an example, at 62 years old, his remaining lease is 40 years. He keeps the last 30 years of the lease so that he can live in his own HDB flat. The difference is 10 years of lease to be sold to the HDB (40-30). This 10 years is the "tail end" of the lease.
HDB then uses the sales proceeds to purchase the CPF Annuity for him. The Annuity then pays him a monthly income till he dies. In addition, the Government gives him $5,000 cash upfront and another $5,000 to pay for the CPF Annuity too. I hope students of RES and REA can understand now.
In this example, the 62-year old would have to live to 102 years old (62+10+30) and will get a monthly income up to 102 years old!
2010 50th Anniversary
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The above info is from the HDB Gallery.
Feb 18, 2011 Low-income Special Housing Grant - SHG - is paid to lower-income families that have an average household income of up to $2,500 to help them to buy 2- to 3-room HDB BTO flats. This is in addition to the AHG and the Family Grant of $30,000 and Family Grant to stay near parents of $40,000.
The Design, Build & Sell Scheme - DBSS - to permit private developers to build the flats for sale to those whose household income is capped at $10,000. The HDB owns the land and HDB and the Town Council will manage the DBSS flats after completion. No condo facilities.
There are so many facts and figures to remember. It will not be a surprise that the HDB officers can't remember each and every one of them! It will be tough to pass the REA exam if one cannot remember the various HDB schemes and eligibility!
Fortune Favours The Brave
"I told my wife and my two daughters. Vote for the opposition party! We all voted for the opposition!" the self-employed businessman in his early 50s had invited me and another friend of his for lunch at Toa Payoh Crystal Jade Restaurant yesterday May 11, 2011.
This person whom I shall call Jeremy had gone to the MP for help as the URA wanted to evict him from a building which was not ready for enbloc development. So he rented without official licence from the government and used it to house foreign students' hostel. He had around 30 students from Vietnam and China. Due to some complaints, the URA wanted him to close down his business by threatening the Landlord for non-compliance with government laws. The MP wrote a letter and sent it to the URA. The URA replied but the subject of the letter was incorrect. He asked the MP to see his original letter. The MP refused to show him and that led him to believe that this PAP MP was not sincerely trying to help him. He got help from his contact for a breathing period of time to close his business as he needed to place his students to approved hostels.
The end of his business and income. His daughter was getting married soon. He was jobless. So he was not happy with the way the MP was handling his case. "Why don't you forward your case to PM Lee Hsien Loong and let him get the feedback as to the lack of care by his MP in your case? Writing incorrect letters and not wanting to show what he had written is just not what is expected of an MP" I had never approached MPs in my life but this act of the PAP MP would be one of the several that had cost the PAP a loss of the overall voting percentage in the 2011 General Elections. He shook his head. After all, he had cast his protest vote and his family had done so too.
"So you are pro-PAP," Jeremy deduced.
"I voted for the PM because he has performed well in his job to develop Singapore into a first-world country. Performance counts in real life and in business." I said.
"You too?" Jeremy asked his friend who is living in China doing some business.
"Yes," he said.
So, in this group of 3 citizens over 50 years of age, 1 in 3 voted for the opposition.
"You should thank the MP whose assistant wrote the incorrect subject to the URA," I said. "After you lost this job, your China contact asked you to handle a $1.3 billion oil deal by looking for oil terminals to buy and you have got one appropriate seller now in the midst of negotiations. How much is 1% commission if the deal closes?" I asked.
His friend said: "$1 billion is 1000 million. 10% is 100 million. 1% is $10 million. We should have more free lunches from Jeremy!"
Jeremy smiled. Life is certainly good for him, thanks to this PAP MP who did not show compassion by refusing to let him see what the MP had written to the URA.
"I am looking for an experienced property lecturer to give talks to a group of 30 foreigners coming to Singapore in July," he announced as he signed a bank loan document brought to him by a young lady banker to the restaurant. This bank had loaned 80% to his foreign buyer and he had to bring the option to purchase to the buyer in China personally to get it signed and delivered within 14 days. So he would be flying to China soon. He had sold a few condos to foreigners. "No point servicing Singaporeans," he told us. "Foreigners are better. Do you have any Singapore developer as I have a township to be developed in China?"
We don't have any. "I have a lecturer for your Seminar," I said. "He is 70 years old and is well qualified to talk about property investment in Singapore. He is licensed to teach RES and REA courses presently."
So he has what he wanted just by inviting me for lunch out of the blue.
Fortune Favours The Brave.
We talked about HDB flat prices in general as he is now a licensed RES property salesperson. "I advised my daughter to buy a 4-year-old Strathmore HDB flat by paying more rather than a 20-year-old flat in Holland Road. The piping would be new and the prices will appreciate more as she can see Orchard Road's Ion Shopping Centre from her flat. It costs $800,000," he said. "You know, the cash over value (COV) was $70,000 cash. I did not have money to help her as the government had closed down my hostel business. Fortunately, my in-law wrote a cheque for that."
I was happy for him as life is rough for a self-employed with this PAP government introducing new rules, new fee charges and new licensing requirements which can only benefit the more successful enterprises that have the money to comply with such stingent rules. The cost of living keeps going up yearly as the various government departments keep creating new licensing rules which need money to be paid for the new statutory boards and qualifying examinations and indemnity insurance.
"How come your daughter can buy a 4-year-old Strathmore flat when the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is 5 years?" I asked, remembering my REA lecture notes as I will be taking the examination in May 25,26,27, 2011 soon.
"The MOP was 3 years for this flat at that time," he said. Now I recalled that the lecturer had stated some dates in which the MOP was 3 years but don't remember the exact period of time.
"She and her husband just exceeded the $8,000 household income ceiling as there was a promotion for her," he said.
"Well, what happened?" I asked.
"I wrote to the HDB to let them know that I was jobless. HDB checked me out and found it to be true. I would need to sell my flat as I would not be able to cope with payment of the $2,000 mortgage payment. So, the HDB permitted the purchase of the flat."
"So you see, the PAP government is compassionate," I tried to let him have a balanced view of the politics of governing Singapore. "Otherwise, your daughter and son-in-law should not qualify the resale flat. In other words, you have so much good fortune owing to the good performance of the PAP (in getting so many HDB flats built) and even giving your daughter a $30,000 housing subsidy as a first-time HDB resale flat buyer. Her father in law wrote a cheque of $70,000 for the COV. That is $100,000 cash for a purchase of a flat. Where does other fathers find such good fortune?"
He did not comment since he knew both of us did not vote for the opposition. Fortune really favours the brave. For lesser self-employed sole operator persons, a close down of his business by the government policies usually means the end of his working life. But Jeremy is the type who actively helps others and network quite extensively. You can see that he even got a qualified real estate practitioner and lecturer to give a talk to his group of 30 foreigners whom he has got from his bank.
In life, you have to be proactive by networking and helpful to others without being calculating and you can see why Jeremy is successful. With 30 foreigners qualified by the bank and interested in Singapore real estate and the sale of the oil tanker as a storage terminal in China, Jeremy is much more successful than many in their 50s.
This person whom I shall call Jeremy had gone to the MP for help as the URA wanted to evict him from a building which was not ready for enbloc development. So he rented without official licence from the government and used it to house foreign students' hostel. He had around 30 students from Vietnam and China. Due to some complaints, the URA wanted him to close down his business by threatening the Landlord for non-compliance with government laws. The MP wrote a letter and sent it to the URA. The URA replied but the subject of the letter was incorrect. He asked the MP to see his original letter. The MP refused to show him and that led him to believe that this PAP MP was not sincerely trying to help him. He got help from his contact for a breathing period of time to close his business as he needed to place his students to approved hostels.
The end of his business and income. His daughter was getting married soon. He was jobless. So he was not happy with the way the MP was handling his case. "Why don't you forward your case to PM Lee Hsien Loong and let him get the feedback as to the lack of care by his MP in your case? Writing incorrect letters and not wanting to show what he had written is just not what is expected of an MP" I had never approached MPs in my life but this act of the PAP MP would be one of the several that had cost the PAP a loss of the overall voting percentage in the 2011 General Elections. He shook his head. After all, he had cast his protest vote and his family had done so too.
"So you are pro-PAP," Jeremy deduced.
"I voted for the PM because he has performed well in his job to develop Singapore into a first-world country. Performance counts in real life and in business." I said.
"You too?" Jeremy asked his friend who is living in China doing some business.
"Yes," he said.
So, in this group of 3 citizens over 50 years of age, 1 in 3 voted for the opposition.
"You should thank the MP whose assistant wrote the incorrect subject to the URA," I said. "After you lost this job, your China contact asked you to handle a $1.3 billion oil deal by looking for oil terminals to buy and you have got one appropriate seller now in the midst of negotiations. How much is 1% commission if the deal closes?" I asked.
His friend said: "$1 billion is 1000 million. 10% is 100 million. 1% is $10 million. We should have more free lunches from Jeremy!"
Jeremy smiled. Life is certainly good for him, thanks to this PAP MP who did not show compassion by refusing to let him see what the MP had written to the URA.
"I am looking for an experienced property lecturer to give talks to a group of 30 foreigners coming to Singapore in July," he announced as he signed a bank loan document brought to him by a young lady banker to the restaurant. This bank had loaned 80% to his foreign buyer and he had to bring the option to purchase to the buyer in China personally to get it signed and delivered within 14 days. So he would be flying to China soon. He had sold a few condos to foreigners. "No point servicing Singaporeans," he told us. "Foreigners are better. Do you have any Singapore developer as I have a township to be developed in China?"
We don't have any. "I have a lecturer for your Seminar," I said. "He is 70 years old and is well qualified to talk about property investment in Singapore. He is licensed to teach RES and REA courses presently."
So he has what he wanted just by inviting me for lunch out of the blue.
Fortune Favours The Brave.
We talked about HDB flat prices in general as he is now a licensed RES property salesperson. "I advised my daughter to buy a 4-year-old Strathmore HDB flat by paying more rather than a 20-year-old flat in Holland Road. The piping would be new and the prices will appreciate more as she can see Orchard Road's Ion Shopping Centre from her flat. It costs $800,000," he said. "You know, the cash over value (COV) was $70,000 cash. I did not have money to help her as the government had closed down my hostel business. Fortunately, my in-law wrote a cheque for that."
I was happy for him as life is rough for a self-employed with this PAP government introducing new rules, new fee charges and new licensing requirements which can only benefit the more successful enterprises that have the money to comply with such stingent rules. The cost of living keeps going up yearly as the various government departments keep creating new licensing rules which need money to be paid for the new statutory boards and qualifying examinations and indemnity insurance.
"How come your daughter can buy a 4-year-old Strathmore flat when the Minimum Occupation Period (MOP) is 5 years?" I asked, remembering my REA lecture notes as I will be taking the examination in May 25,26,27, 2011 soon.
"The MOP was 3 years for this flat at that time," he said. Now I recalled that the lecturer had stated some dates in which the MOP was 3 years but don't remember the exact period of time.
"She and her husband just exceeded the $8,000 household income ceiling as there was a promotion for her," he said.
"Well, what happened?" I asked.
"I wrote to the HDB to let them know that I was jobless. HDB checked me out and found it to be true. I would need to sell my flat as I would not be able to cope with payment of the $2,000 mortgage payment. So, the HDB permitted the purchase of the flat."
"So you see, the PAP government is compassionate," I tried to let him have a balanced view of the politics of governing Singapore. "Otherwise, your daughter and son-in-law should not qualify the resale flat. In other words, you have so much good fortune owing to the good performance of the PAP (in getting so many HDB flats built) and even giving your daughter a $30,000 housing subsidy as a first-time HDB resale flat buyer. Her father in law wrote a cheque of $70,000 for the COV. That is $100,000 cash for a purchase of a flat. Where does other fathers find such good fortune?"
He did not comment since he knew both of us did not vote for the opposition. Fortune really favours the brave. For lesser self-employed sole operator persons, a close down of his business by the government policies usually means the end of his working life. But Jeremy is the type who actively helps others and network quite extensively. You can see that he even got a qualified real estate practitioner and lecturer to give a talk to his group of 30 foreigners whom he has got from his bank.
In life, you have to be proactive by networking and helpful to others without being calculating and you can see why Jeremy is successful. With 30 foreigners qualified by the bank and interested in Singapore real estate and the sale of the oil tanker as a storage terminal in China, Jeremy is much more successful than many in their 50s.
439. The pug with the perforated ulcer at Day 42 - progress report
http://www.sinpets.com/dogs/20110315pug-male-7months-perforated-corneal-ulcer-deep-ulcerative-keratitis-toapayohvets.htm
has the full report. The perforated ulcer (long vertical red line) is healing slowly as blood vessels bring in the cells. This pug's eyeball will have ruptured and collapsed if the owners delay further treatment. The pet shop operator had been unsuccessful in selling this pug and probably has not wanted to pay for the veterinary treatment which can be quite costly.
3 images of the pug's eye at Day 0, 14 and 42 are shown here. More pictures are at the above-mentioned website.
DAY ZER0 BEFORE 3RD EYELID FLAP SURGERY
DAY 14 AFTER VET TREATMENT
DAY 42 AFTER VET TREATMENT
The 3 operating lights of Toa Payoh Vets can be seen in the upper part of the cornea. The lower left side of the cornea reflects part of the white e-collar
has the full report. The perforated ulcer (long vertical red line) is healing slowly as blood vessels bring in the cells. This pug's eyeball will have ruptured and collapsed if the owners delay further treatment. The pet shop operator had been unsuccessful in selling this pug and probably has not wanted to pay for the veterinary treatment which can be quite costly.
3 images of the pug's eye at Day 0, 14 and 42 are shown here. More pictures are at the above-mentioned website.
DAY ZER0 BEFORE 3RD EYELID FLAP SURGERY
DAY 14 AFTER VET TREATMENT
DAY 42 AFTER VET TREATMENT
438. How to succeed in the employment agency and veterinary business
DR SING'S E-MAIL TO A ROOKIE EMPLOYMENT AGENT
If you don't mind feedback from me (as a prospective employer) as to how to succeed in your employment agency business, the following is advised:
1. Open a case file.
2. Interview the applicants yourself.
3. Assess whether they can speak good English and give them a ranking e.g. Grade 1 (excellent) etc.
4. Qualify the applicants as to whether they meet most of the employer's requirements.
If they qualify at least 80%, then you contact the employer.
5. When you present the info to the prospective employer, they don't need to waste time downloading and reading resume as you have done the qualifications.
6. Just e-mailing resumes of prospects looking for the vacancy the employer requires is NOT the way to succeed in this employment agency business. You have to open case file, interview, record the characteristics and personality of the applicant, qualify and recommend to the prospective employer.
7. I am not an employment agent but the above are general guidelines in any real estate, recruitment and many other businesses.
Even for veterinary medicine too. Only that the vet must "qualify" the client and the pet as regards financial situation, anaesthetic risks, prognosis and outcome of treatment. For example, a woman who brings in stray cats will seldom want to pay for X-rays and blood tests. I have a case of such a woman (cat activist) who complains loudly to me and in front of other clients that $500 veterinary fees charged by a vet just to treat a stray cat are too high. She expected the vet to be compassionate as after all, the cat is a stray cat.
On examining the bill from the vet who treated her stray cat, the fees included blood tests and two X-rays. Therefore, in veterinary medicine, there is also the same guidelines as what I give to you. Therefore, please do not just e-mail resumes from various applicants you have not personally qualified if you want to succeed in this highly competitive world of business.
If you don't mind feedback from me (as a prospective employer) as to how to succeed in your employment agency business, the following is advised:
1. Open a case file.
2. Interview the applicants yourself.
3. Assess whether they can speak good English and give them a ranking e.g. Grade 1 (excellent) etc.
4. Qualify the applicants as to whether they meet most of the employer's requirements.
If they qualify at least 80%, then you contact the employer.
5. When you present the info to the prospective employer, they don't need to waste time downloading and reading resume as you have done the qualifications.
6. Just e-mailing resumes of prospects looking for the vacancy the employer requires is NOT the way to succeed in this employment agency business. You have to open case file, interview, record the characteristics and personality of the applicant, qualify and recommend to the prospective employer.
7. I am not an employment agent but the above are general guidelines in any real estate, recruitment and many other businesses.
Even for veterinary medicine too. Only that the vet must "qualify" the client and the pet as regards financial situation, anaesthetic risks, prognosis and outcome of treatment. For example, a woman who brings in stray cats will seldom want to pay for X-rays and blood tests. I have a case of such a woman (cat activist) who complains loudly to me and in front of other clients that $500 veterinary fees charged by a vet just to treat a stray cat are too high. She expected the vet to be compassionate as after all, the cat is a stray cat.
On examining the bill from the vet who treated her stray cat, the fees included blood tests and two X-rays. Therefore, in veterinary medicine, there is also the same guidelines as what I give to you. Therefore, please do not just e-mail resumes from various applicants you have not personally qualified if you want to succeed in this highly competitive world of business.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
437. xylazine + ketamine
I did a google search (xylazine+ketamine+dogs) and saw my blog posted in April 2010.
I reproduce below for my reference as I am doing a devocalisation surgery on a Cocker Spaniel (dog will be euthanased as a noise nuisance if not done). I rarely perform this surgery, always trying to educate the client first. But it is easier to educate when the problem is not in your backyard!
Monday, April 12, 2010
25. Xylazine:Ketamine IV sedation and anaesthesia in dogs
There are many methods of anaesthesizing the dogs. One of them is the use of xylazine and ketamine IV. I believe this is seldom used as each vet has his own preferences. For example, I use xylazine tranquilisation IM and halothane and nowadays isoflurane gas anaesthesia over the past 20 years of practice and I find it to be very effective and safe, with rapid recovery.
However, old dogs can learn new tricks and I always ask other vets what anaesthesia they use. There is a great variety.
My associate vet loves to use Domitor pre-anaesthetic dosage, isoflurane and then Anti-sedan reversal. Another vet loves the xylazine/ketamine combination for anaesthesia. Another one loves zoletil injectable anaesthesia. The principal vet my god-daughter is seeing practice with in Perth never uses mask anaesthesia at all and therefore he does not have anaesthetic mask.
The following is my observation of xylazine:ketamine IV anaesthesia I used in one 26-kg, 5-year-old Labrador Retriever yesterday to treat a lick granuloma of the LH D5 toe.
THE GENERAL GUIDELINE FROM ONE VET
FOR XYLAZINE:KETAMINE IV ANAESTHESIA IN DOGS
FOR ANAESTHESIA
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 2.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 2.6 ml, IV
FOR SEDATION, the dosage is reduced as follows:
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 1.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 1.6 ml. IV
This was what I gave to the dog
After 1 minute, the dog was sedated.
After 5 minutes, I injected prednisolone into his large LH 5th digit granuloma. Slick flicker of pain reaction. He was sedated well.
Recovery
He took more than half an hour to wake up and more than 1 hour to stand up. I did not given any anti-xylazine reversal as ketamine is involved.
CONCLUSION
I prefer dogs to be standing up within 2 minutes of the end of a procedure or surgery. So, I will not be using this method. It will be good for cases where there are no gas machines. This is why I am recording this case for the benefit of vets who may not have anaesthetic gas facilities.
P.S.
From this practitioner who is experienced in this method of anaesthesia, there is a general formula for xylazine:ketamine IV anaesthesia in adult dogs.
For example, 26 kg, 5-year-old dog
Xyalzine 2.3 ml + ketamine 0.3 ml = 2.6 ml in one syringe.
This is a general formula and must be reduced according to health, age and weight.
I reproduce below for my reference as I am doing a devocalisation surgery on a Cocker Spaniel (dog will be euthanased as a noise nuisance if not done). I rarely perform this surgery, always trying to educate the client first. But it is easier to educate when the problem is not in your backyard!
Monday, April 12, 2010
25. Xylazine:Ketamine IV sedation and anaesthesia in dogs
There are many methods of anaesthesizing the dogs. One of them is the use of xylazine and ketamine IV. I believe this is seldom used as each vet has his own preferences. For example, I use xylazine tranquilisation IM and halothane and nowadays isoflurane gas anaesthesia over the past 20 years of practice and I find it to be very effective and safe, with rapid recovery.
However, old dogs can learn new tricks and I always ask other vets what anaesthesia they use. There is a great variety.
My associate vet loves to use Domitor pre-anaesthetic dosage, isoflurane and then Anti-sedan reversal. Another vet loves the xylazine/ketamine combination for anaesthesia. Another one loves zoletil injectable anaesthesia. The principal vet my god-daughter is seeing practice with in Perth never uses mask anaesthesia at all and therefore he does not have anaesthetic mask.
The following is my observation of xylazine:ketamine IV anaesthesia I used in one 26-kg, 5-year-old Labrador Retriever yesterday to treat a lick granuloma of the LH D5 toe.
THE GENERAL GUIDELINE FROM ONE VET
FOR XYLAZINE:KETAMINE IV ANAESTHESIA IN DOGS
FOR ANAESTHESIA
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 2.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 2.6 ml, IV
FOR SEDATION, the dosage is reduced as follows:
26kg, 5-year old dog
Xylazine 2% at 1.3 ml
Ketamine 100mg/ml at 0.3 ml
In one syringe, the total is 1.6 ml. IV
This was what I gave to the dog
After 1 minute, the dog was sedated.
After 5 minutes, I injected prednisolone into his large LH 5th digit granuloma. Slick flicker of pain reaction. He was sedated well.
Recovery
He took more than half an hour to wake up and more than 1 hour to stand up. I did not given any anti-xylazine reversal as ketamine is involved.
CONCLUSION
I prefer dogs to be standing up within 2 minutes of the end of a procedure or surgery. So, I will not be using this method. It will be good for cases where there are no gas machines. This is why I am recording this case for the benefit of vets who may not have anaesthetic gas facilities.
P.S.
From this practitioner who is experienced in this method of anaesthesia, there is a general formula for xylazine:ketamine IV anaesthesia in adult dogs.
For example, 26 kg, 5-year-old dog
Xyalzine 2.3 ml + ketamine 0.3 ml = 2.6 ml in one syringe.
This is a general formula and must be reduced according to health, age and weight.
First impression counts even if you are over 60 years old
I met this senior citizen of 66 years. As thin as a rake but Singaporeans will not know what a rake is.
"Far East Organisation pays licensed estate agents $50/day for new property condo sales exhibition," he said. "My estate agent charges me money to be at its exhibition! They queue me at No. 40 and give me only weekday daytime slot. When my queue is reached, I have only done 2 prospects. And you know what?"
"What?"
"The estate agent reserves all night and weekend viewings for themselves and their friends! So, they never phone me to sell the condos during these busy times!"
I said naively: "Why don't you just join Far East and you need not pay?"
The senior citizen laughed: "They don't accept me. They want only young girls!"
So, here we have a Senior citizen who passed the CES examination of 200 questions at 2 minutes per question with only 5/50 candidates including his manager failing with no job.
"I have no contacts," he said to me. I was surprised as he has the badge and has given up.
"Farm for contacts," I said. "Be more presentable. Look at your spectacles. There are colourful oil reflections in your glasses. It is just not creating good impression." He was just not bothered with how he presents himself. The real estate firm, a brand-name one was also taking him for a ride by charging a rookie licensed agent for being present at new project sales.
"Far East Organisation pays licensed estate agents $50/day for new property condo sales exhibition," he said. "My estate agent charges me money to be at its exhibition! They queue me at No. 40 and give me only weekday daytime slot. When my queue is reached, I have only done 2 prospects. And you know what?"
"What?"
"The estate agent reserves all night and weekend viewings for themselves and their friends! So, they never phone me to sell the condos during these busy times!"
I said naively: "Why don't you just join Far East and you need not pay?"
The senior citizen laughed: "They don't accept me. They want only young girls!"
So, here we have a Senior citizen who passed the CES examination of 200 questions at 2 minutes per question with only 5/50 candidates including his manager failing with no job.
"I have no contacts," he said to me. I was surprised as he has the badge and has given up.
"Farm for contacts," I said. "Be more presentable. Look at your spectacles. There are colourful oil reflections in your glasses. It is just not creating good impression." He was just not bothered with how he presents himself. The real estate firm, a brand-name one was also taking him for a ride by charging a rookie licensed agent for being present at new project sales.
434. Be prepared.
I interviewed one Filipino vet graduate by phone after receiving her email. I asked her to come for an interview. "Where's your address?" she asked me. I was so surprised that she would not even know which prospective employer she was talking to!
Many things are not taught at Vet Schools. Read more about preparation for job interviews and be prepared.
Many things are not taught at Vet Schools. Read more about preparation for job interviews and be prepared.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Market Segmentation in Singapore politics
On the eve of Polling Day on May 6, 2011, I predicted that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his team would win 70% of the votes cast. The PM had apologised for the failures of the government in not building sufficient HDB flats to stop the rapid rise of housing, the Orchard Road floods, the escape of a terrorist from detention and some of his ministers had apologised too. Some cynics think that this strategy was to get sympathy votes but I believe the PM was sincere. No government is perfect.
"Do you agree?" I asked Julia. She shook her head. "But he would win," she said. "The Reform Party could not even afford to put up their party posters in the neighbourhood."
"Didn't you see the posters of the Reform Party on the main road?" I asked.
"Yes, but only on the main road and nowhere in the neighbourhood."
"I fear that the PAP would be wiped out in this election," I could feel the general frigid atmosphere whenever I surveyed some of my clients as to whether they would vote for the PAP. The massive crowds at the Worker's Party and other opposition rallies were better than rock star concerts were well photographed by the Press and shown in the internet. One of the opposition's new candidates was young female in a group fighting the established Minister Mentor Goh Chok Tong who also had an equivalent young female in his group. However, the opposition young female was able to speak very well in public and the press had given her favourable coverage unlike the PAP's young lady candidate. Sometimes it appeared to me that the press was pro-opposition and the reporters were fanning the cries of the "non-silent majority" for voices to be heard to blow away the "arrogance" of the PAP government. A government that had performed very well for Singapore's development in social and economic areas when you compare to other governments in other countries like Taiwan where legislators were telecast live showing how they fought each other during Parliamentary sessions.
The opposition parties alleged that ministers replied to the public unsympathetically when small disasters like the Orchard flooding occurred.
This 2011 election was for a generation that "forget whence we came from," according to MM Lee Kuan Yew. The hardships, high unemployment rate, lack of public safety and racial riots were forgotten as the Y-generation enjoys the fruits of success of Singapore being a first world country and wants more goodies without having to work hard. 5-day week even for civil servants, 4 months of paid maternal leave. An internet forum writer replied that his generation does not forget owing to many reminders during school days but he or she does not want to go back to "whence we came from."
Unbelievable housing benefits not present when I started working in the 1970s as follows:
SINGAPOREANS EARNING LESS THAN $8,000 BUYING RESALE HDB FLAT IN THE OPEN MARKET
$30,000 to $40,000 subsidy to buy a resale flat if your household income is less than $8,000 per month (to be increased to $10,000 as a result of the feedback and unhappiness about the rise in public housing during the elections).
SINGAPOREANS EARNING LESS THAN $8,000 BUYING NEW HDB FLAT (BUILT TO ORDER) FOR THE FIRST TIME
No subsidies if the Singaporean household purchases a new HDB flat which looks much better than a condo in the same locality but cost 10-30% cheaper for Singaporeans only. These flats are known as Built To Order (BTO) flats and will take time to be completed since property is inelastic.
The opposition had asked for lower prices for new HDB flats and more help for those affected by the high prices.
According to the Minister Mr Mah Bow Tan, increasing the household income ceiling for buyers of new HDB flat from $8,000 to $10,000 would make it eligible for 50% of those who currently buy resale flats to switch to buying the new HDB flats. He said this would lead to a decrease in demand and therefore value of resale flats. Therefore present owners of HDB resale flats would have capital depreciation instead of "asset enhancement." So, another market segment is affected when the government changes housing policies.
SINGAPOREANS EARNING LESS THAN $10,000 TO BUY NEW FLATS BUILT BY PRIVATE DEVELOPER'S
Or purchase of an executive condo (EC) or design, build and sell scheme (DBSS) flat with similar $30,000 to $40,000 and no resale levy for Singaporeans earning less than $10,000 per month. This scheme caters to the "sandwiched middle class" who can't afford private property. The ECs have condo facilities and if it is bought to live in rather than speculate, it is value for money since $30,000 to $40,000 subsidies are given by the government to buy the EC and live a lifestyle of private condo owners. ECs are not built by the HDB and are said to be much better designed by private developers. After selling, the HDB and Town Councils will manage them. There will be not be a condo management committee unlike private condos.
SINGAPOREANS EARNING LESS THAN $5,000 BUYING A NEW 2- OR 3-ROOM HDB FLAT
In addition to the $30,000 to $40,000 subsidy, an ADDITIONAL HOUSING GRANT (AHG) and another SPECIAL HOUSING GRANT (SHG).
SINGAPOREANS GET TWO CONCESSIONARY LOANS TO BUY NEW HDB FLATS. Lower interest rates. They can get more concessionary loans but must sell back the flat to the HDB at posted prices (below market prices). Obviously nobody does that.
SENIOR CITIZENS WITH NO INCOME LIVING IN 3-ROOM HDB FLATS
Lease-buy back scheme. The government buys back the HDB apartment (tail end of the lease of 30 years), gives $5,000 cash upfront and then another $5,000 for the purchase of a CPF Life Annuity. This annuity provides an estimated $300-500 monthly income for life. Subletting the whole flat (and staying with the family), subletting a room, downgrading or cashing out are areas where the senior citizens can earn income.
So it seems all market segments in Singapore are politically covered by the PAP. The opposition's complaint was that the prices of the HDB flats have shot up and the mortgage payment is now 30 years. To me, it is better to have 30 years to reduce the monthly mortgage payments freeing cash for other expenditure.
Well, the PAP got 60% of the vote, down from the previous election. PM Lee got 69.3%. My prediction was not spot on but was close.
"You need not worry about that PAP would not form the government," Julia replied to my opinion that the PAP government could be wiped out this time, since there is great anti-PAP sentiments judging from the internet postings and the high turnout in opposition rallies as compared to the PAP rallies. Well, she was correct in that the PAP got 81 of the 89 seats in the Parliament. By any international standards of democracy, this is an incredibly good election performance in a fair and open election.
Singapore's Polling Day was May 7, 2011. Around 2 million voters, half of them from the younger generation voted.
P.S. Political intervention. The government introduced property cooling measures before the elections to reduce the cost of housing. These are:
1. For private properties, a Seller has to pay stamp duty of 16% during the first year of sale and lower percentages for year 2-4. This means that it is not worth speculating in private properties. This process is called "flipping."
2. Owners of private properties are NOT allowed to buy HDB resale or new flats anymore.
3. Permanent Residents (PR) who purchase HDB flats must sell off their private properties here or in their countries within a period of time or face penalties.
4. Property owners buying another property but has an existing housing loan will now only get 60% of the loan. Property owners with no housing loan gets 80%. In the past it was 90%. (I need to verify the %).
5. Commercial property buyers can only get 70% of the housing loan. (I need to verify the %). This is to discourage more demand for private properties increasing prices.
6. New HDB flat buyers (Built To Order), Executive condo and DBSS condo buyers (restricted to Singaporeans or Singapore + 1 PR as spouse) are not affected by the stamp duty on selling as the minimum occupation period is 5 years. The first-time buyer still gets the concessionary housing loans and the CPF housing grants of $30,000 or $40,000.
7. Market segmentation according to my lecturer's REA notes.
Market segmentation is a process in which a company divides the market into distinct groups of customers whose want different products or services. The intention is to identify groups of similar customers - to understand their behaviour and respond with appropriate marketing strategies.
These customer groups are as follows:
1. Geographic
2. Demographic
3. Psychological
4. Behavioural
Details of each group are as follows:
1. Geographic segment. Each locality has different groups of property buyers. Consumers in different areas show certain characteristics and behaviours. For example Districts 9, 10 and 11 are where the affluent customers are the rich and famous buying expensive ($ per sq ft) properties. Downtown Singapore has a population consisting of commercial and residential properties.
2. Demographics is the study of the population by age, gender, income and family life cycle amongst other variables. They respond to different needs and wants.
For example,
age groups - fashion or magazines for teenagers only. Toys are developed for children of certain age groups.
gender - cosmetics and clothing for women. A male lifestyle magazine covering male fashion, films, cars, sports and technology. Certain bars attract high-income female patrons who enjoy 'social drinking.'
income - I use this example of the Singapore government as regards to "affordable housing for the citizen". The low income group (earning up to $5,000) can get Additional Housing and Special Housing Grants if they buy new 2- or 3-bedroom HDB flats. This is in addition to the CPF housing grant of $30,000 or $40,000 for first-timers Singaporeans who earn less than $8,000 buying resale HDB flats. In effect, this group does not pay any cash in getting a new HDB flat.
Psychological segmentation involves the social class, lifestyle or personality characteristics.
The lifestyle, daily activities, interest, opinions and beliefs on various issues make up the characteristic of each group. For example the lifestyle segment of young professionals (able to take risk in investment) and retirees (frugal, least expensive tours). Marketers understand their lifestyle profiles to develop products and services to enhance their lifestyle.
Behavioural segmentation refers to why people buy a product or service. For example, what is the benefit they seek from the purchase and how it will enhance their overall lifestyle. For example,
1. brand loyalty (drinks only Coca Cola),
2. occasion increases the reason to buy certain products or services (Valentine's Day - buy more flowers and chocolates, Christmas Day - turkeys).
3. usage rate divides customers into the frequency of purchase. Heavy users contribute more to the company's turnover than light or medium users. No example is given by the lecturer. I will say examples of heavy users of products or services are women readers who buy and read romance novels and therefore the publisher of romance novels will ensure that more authors of romance genre are advertised and promoted than writers of scientific papers.
An example in the political area may be the "sandwiched middle class" of Singaporeans whose income have shot past the $8,000 household income ceiling. They prefer to buy new HDB flats but can't owing to their promotion in their career but private housing is out of their reach. If the government changes its policy of increasing the income ceiling to $10,000, this class will buy new HDB flats which are 10-30% cheaper than resale HDB flats on the open market and are brand new too.
My REA examination will be on May 25, 26, and 27 at 2 hours/examination. The above article may help those studying for the REA or RES examination understand the complex rules and regulations including the AHG, SHG (introduced in 2011), CPF Housing Grants, BTO, DBSS, EC, 120% Valuation Loan Limit, Minimum Sum Scheme, Additional Housing Withdrawal Limit after the age of 55 years (AHWL), Leverage Buyback Scheme (LBS), CPF Ordinary Account, Special Account and Medisave Account.
My lecturer said that there is no such thing as a Retirement Account as it is part of the Special Account but there is the mention of "Retirement Account" by the CPF board in newspapers. All of these rules and regulations will make an ordinary person go crazy trying to understand all of them and being tested. Sometimes my lecturer also can't keep up to date with the new policies.
P.S
Marketing segmentation also applies to veterinary medicine and surgery. Some pet owners prefer a practice where they see the same doctor for their pets (behavioural segmentation?). Some cannot be bothered but want a practice next door (geographical segmentation).
Some go for brand-name vets as they believe the vets there are the best money can buy (behavioral segmentation?). Some want old and experienced vets to handle their pet surgeries (psychological segmentation?). Young pet owners are internet savvy and will research their pet's problems on the internet first before seeking out a vet (demographic segmentation?)
433. Blackness on paws of old dogs - email query
On Mon, May 9, 2011 at 4:11 PM, Gene Ho wrote:
Hi there,
I have a query and I seek your help.
My dog, currently aged around 12 years have had black/dark patches of skin area his paws. It was initially unnoticeable, but have recently became darker.
May I know if this is caused by aging in general? It doesn't seem to bother him nor itch.
Regards,
Name of Owner
REPLY FROM DR SING
I am Dr Sing from www.toapayohvets.com. Thank you for your email. If it is just black pigmentation, it could be due to paw licking or some itchiness due to something being there. It is best to ask your vet to check.
Hi there,
I have a query and I seek your help.
My dog, currently aged around 12 years have had black/dark patches of skin area his paws. It was initially unnoticeable, but have recently became darker.
May I know if this is caused by aging in general? It doesn't seem to bother him nor itch.
Regards,
Name of Owner
REPLY FROM DR SING
I am Dr Sing from www.toapayohvets.com. Thank you for your email. If it is just black pigmentation, it could be due to paw licking or some itchiness due to something being there. It is best to ask your vet to check.
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