1056. Hong Kong's "Adopt A Pet. Save A Life" bus advert

August 23, 2012

I was at The Sweet Dynasty restaurant having a birthday celebration dinner. A waitress asked me to fill up a survey form in exchange for a free red bean desert. The restaurant was doing a roaring business despite intense competition from shopping malls and smaller restaurants around this Canton Road area. Large upscale stalls with more variety of shops and eateries than the ones at Ion Orchard, Singapore.

So why the survey? The paper reported that the Sweet Dynasty would close on Dec 31, 2012 due to high rents! In Hong Kong, as in Singapore, the Landlords and REITS are the ones laughing all the way to the bank because rents keep going up every year. "Many Chinese restaurants are lucky to be still around," one waitress at Causeway Bay told me of her 8-year-old restaurant still existing. "The Landlord keeps increasing the rent. Now, this place rents around  HK$400,000 - 500,000/month! The income goes to pay the Landlord!"

In 2011, Hong Kong was reported to receive 28 million Mainland China tourists. This group makes up 61% of the tourists. There seems to be no recession in the tourism sector.

After dinner, I saw a bus stopping near the restaurant and was surprised to see the educational advert (3 images posted here). I have not seen such a bus advert in Singapore.

At the subway, there were adverts "Adopt A Dog As Unique As You Are from the SPCA".   
The bus advert shows that the veterinary authority is pro-active in helping the strays.

Hong Kong on Aug 23, 2012 was hot and sweaty, like Macau. The sky was hazy and so I could not take sharp images from the 40th floor of Hotel Panorama.

1056. Vermicomposting. Create a business out of hobbies

A young woman in the USA has a hobby. In Singapore, a few Singaporeans used to have an idea to breed pedigree small breed puppies for sale some 20 years ago. A puppy was selling for around $500. Now I doubt there are many left as the Singapore government clamps down on home breeders, requiring licences.

vermicomposting!

I have started my worm box! I just bought 192 worms from a fish bait and tackle shop yesterday. The worms are Red Wrigglers. They are now living in a plastic box in the soil/ peat which they came in. I fed them some carrot peel and banana peel today! Also covered the top of the soil with shredded newspaper and pieces of a paper egg carton. I’ll keep you updated on how they grow. I found a small yellow vermipod today in the soil. This means that they are reproducing. I’m excited!

August 20, 2012

EMAIL FROM DR SING DATED AUG 24, 2012

OK. Young people should get into a business mode when they have hobbies. As for you, it would be to create "worms" to sell to the fishermen. . 

Hobbies can also be businesses if one has the energy and knowledge. After all, one needs money to buy tools and equipment to be proficient in one's hobbies e.g. digital photography in my case. But nobody wants to buy my veterinary digital images!

Do you need a government licence? I read in the Straits Times recently regarding a young lady who started a "nanny-matching" business online without a licence from the MOM. She got fined $2000. Now MOM requires $60,000 instead of $20,000 deposit if anyone wants to start up an employment business. I think the Singapore bureaucrats are killing entrepreneurship and increasing the cost of business start ups

1055. Mast cell tumour in a Maltese

On Aug 22, 2012, at 18:20, ...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Dear Dr Sing,
>
> My pet maltese is diagnosed with malignant high grade anaplastic mast cell tumor. A first operation was performed to remove a tumor from her left thoracic flank. The histological report revealed that there is no margin of tumor-free tissue along the deepest border.
>
> Two months after the surgery, a new lump developed on the right neck and was surgically removed. An ultrasound abdo scan also showed that the cancer has metastasized to the spleen.
>
> She began her first chemotherapy: Prednisolone and Vinblastine (8 sessions; 4 x weekly, 4 x biweekly). Her second chemotherapy: Palladia was on for two weeks and interrupted due to a swollen right eye lid.
>
> We seek a vet with special interest in ophthalmology today and she was definite that the swollen eyelid is a malignant tumor, without doing any biopsy. Surgically removal of the entire eye is the only option but the tumor is likely going to reappear. My pet is given a prognosis of 3 weeks.
>
> Aside from the swollen right eyelid, she is still a very active pet and has good appetite. The tumor in the eyelid has pushed her eyeball to the side and looking very uncomfortable. She is given Prednisolone for now.
>
> After doing some research online, most commented that eyelid tumor is benign.
>
> Given that my pet is still in good spirits, I am not willing to put her down in any case. However, the unwelcome tumor in the eyelid seems like an time-ticking tumor. It is getting more inflamed as each day passes.
>
> With your vast experience, I hope to hear from you.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Regards,
XXX
>



E-MAIL REPLY FROM DR SING DATED AUG 23, 2012
Subject: Eyelid tumor in Maltese: Pls help to advice



I will be back from HK on Friday aug 24. It will be best to tel me 96686468 on Sat 10am. Most likely eye tumor is malignant.
Sing K Y

1054. Veterinary Images from Hong Kong

I advise all vets to get dwarf hamster tumours excised promptly rather than do biopsy first as this is what the professors may have taught them and as written in the vet text books.




I encourage the internet generation to create beautiful images, but it seems this generation has too much to text and enjoy to do the hard work to create attractive images. I hope the following will be of interest to readers. They took me >1 hour, from 5.30 am to 7.20 am at the reception of the Hotel Panorama, Hong Kong (free wireless only in lobby, HK$100 charge for 24 hours if inside the room where the others are sleeping).

TIPS FOR BETTER IMAGES OF VET CLINICS

1. Sunlight at an angle is best. No sunlight, the image looks dull. It was drizzling in Northpoint, Hong Kong one hour earlier but no heavy rain as in Disney Land on Aug 21, 2012




2. If a passer-by is shown, it makes the image much more attractive. An old woman happened to walk up the clinic. I thought she was a customer. Earlier, a lady with 4 Corgis walked by, but my camera was inside my camera bag!





3. A car obstructed the front view earlier.


4. Suddenly the dark clouds parted and the 3pm sunlight shone at the clinic. There was no time to waste.
5. I sat on the stool of a food stall opposite the clinic and clicked fast. Luckily the stall holder did not chase me away. 

1053. Follow up on the Beijing hamster owner

E-MAIL FROM DR SING DATED AUG 22, 2012 to the Beijing hamster owner
7.39 am, first floor, reception lobby, Hotel Panorama, Hong Kong

 

As each vet has his or her own professional opinion on how to treat a hamster case, it is best you do not impose my advices onto your vet as he or she may be most unhappy.

From my knowledge with the younger vets trained overseas, usually in Australia, I note that the vets have been trained to take a biopsy of the tumour first, send to the laboratory to check whether it is cancerous or not. Then they will advise further. Unfortunately, the lab results may take over 7-14 days. But it can take one day, depending on the laboratory. The owner may also procrastinate. Soon, the tumour, if malignant, grows fast and becomes inoperable in a small creature, like the dwarf hamster's subcutaneous tumour, as that was probably present in your hamster.

My approach is to take out the tumour early, send to the laboratory for histopathology after surgical removal. As each vet has his or her own idea on what to do, the fate of a pet depends on the action of the vet consulted and on the pro-activeness and knowledge of the owner.

I am presently in Hong Kong and may not reply to you. My advice is still to be pro-active to seek a vet who is comfortable with hamster anaesthesia and surgery. Best wishes.

On Tue, Aug 21, 2012 at 3:14 PM, Y@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Dr Sing,

Thank you very much for your time to reply. I will discuss this with the vet accordingly.

I'm very sorry I will have to trouble you with another question for my other hamster Yoda. He is also 2+ years old, currently on Itraconazole treating a recurring fungal infection (ringworm).

I noticed he had a soft moveable lump underneath (from chest to flank) him early this week and yesterday we went to the vet. The lump wasn't noticeable 2 weeks ago.

Attached is the pics of him, you can see part of the lump. Unfortunately this is the best shot I could get of him.

My hamster went under isofluorane over his head for almost 4-5 mins (I think this was too much?) and the vet aspirate very very little liquid from the lump. It is not blood.

The samples was sent to the lab but it will take about 10 days before we know what it is.

I'm afraid with the lump will be much bigger by then and the risk to remove it is higher.

Is there an absolute need to wait for the results from the lab before surgery? Or can we do an xray or ultrasound to determine more?

Would you please be so kind to advise me. I will present your reply to my vet and I'm desperate to cure Yoda's condition before it gets worse.

Appreciate your reply, thank you again.

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

------ Original Message ------
From: "Kong Yuen Sing" <99pups@gmail.com>
To: "Y@gmail.com>
Cc: "Kong Yuen Sing" <99pups@gmail.com>;"daniel sing" <singdaniel@gmail.com>
Sent: 21/8/2012 5:10:25 AM
Subject: Re: Hamster wart

The risk of anaesthesia is high in the older dwarf hamster compared to a younger one.

Much depends on the experience of the hamster vet and the method of anaesthesia being used. If the vet uses isoflurane gas, it depends on the methods used, based on size of tumour and time taken to operate and/or stitch up. Therefore it is hard to let you know how much and how long.

In my experience, this tumour, if it has a stalk, will take 2 seconds to cut it off and therefore anaesthesia by 5% isoflurane gas in a container and not using gas mask is around <60 an="an" anaesthesia.="anaesthesia." br="br" close="close" depth="depth" do.="do." experienced="experienced" fixed="fixed" formula.="formula." hamster="hamster" is="is" know="know" no="no" observation="observation" of="of" on="on" seconds="seconds" the="the" there="there" to="to" vet="vet" what="what" will="will" with="with">

On Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 3:32 PM, Y@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi Dr Sing

Thank you so much for your quick reply. I will approach a vet who can help me with my hamster's toe.

You mentioned that the high risk lies with the anaesthesia, how much/long of those can be applied to ensure that it will not harm my hamster?

Again, thanks very much!

 

------ Original Message ------
From: "Kong Yuen Sing" <99pups@gmail.com>
To: "@gmail.com>
Cc: "daniel sing" <singdaniel@gmail.com>;"Kong Yuen Sing" <99pups@gmail.com>
Sent: 18/8/2012 6:46:18 AM
Subject: Re: Hamster wart

Thank you for your e-mail.
Surgical excision under anaesthesia is the solution.

1. If there is a stalk attached to the skin, the vet will just cut off the stalk, apply potassium permanganate powder to control the bleeding or apply pressure bandage.
2. If there is no stalk, there will be a big piece of skin cut off, exposing the bone, muscles, ligaments and tendons. If the wound is <5mm after="after" be="be" br="br" cared="cared" for="for" infection.="infection." it="it" needs="needs" prevent="prevent" surgery="surgery" to="to" well="well">3. If there is no stalk and the tumour has invaded deep into the bones, then amputation of the 5th digit + tumour will be the solution. 6/0 stitching may be needed to close the skin wound.
4. Electro-excision, using electricity is an excellent procedure for this case. Electro- excision controls the bleeding.

Overall, the surgery is low risk and is done in 2 seconds. The anaesthesia is the high risk in old hamsters. The bleeding in this surgery usually does not kill the hamster as the bleeding can be controlled. You may need to locate a vet who is comfortable in performing hamster surgery.

Please let me know the good news after surgery.

On Sat, Aug 18, 2012 at 2:12 AM, Y.com> wrote:

Hello Dr Sing,

Thank you for sharing priceless info regarding hamster's condition on the website. I found you on this site and I'm relieved to know that there is a possibility to address the condition.(http://www.bekindtopets.com/animals/20090122Hamster_Roborovski_Wounds_Warts_ToaPayohVets.htm).

I'm writing from Beijing and I seek some advise regarding a growth on my hamster which I now know is called a wart. My hamster is 2+ years old and he had this wart growing on the side of his toe since January this year. Occasionally there is pimple-like 'head' that pokes up, and I have tried to extracted it myself. We also did consulted a vet and she content is skin cells & sebum related.

The wart seemed to have steadied in size, but the pimple-like thing would come back after we extracted it.

I've attached a picture of the wart, and the size of it. Please have a look.

I would like to know if its possible to surgically have this removed safely - cut off at wart stalk?

Will there be a lot of bleeding and is it high risks?

I understand that we have to put him under gas isofluorane.

I appreciate your time and advise, and look forward to hear from you regarding this matter as I will talk to my local vet to have this administered.

I go to an international vet, but hamsters are not common patients here. So I would like to be informed and perhaps refer my local vet to your website for references as well.

Thank you in advance and I really hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Y M

1052. Email about hamster's ear "growth"

On Sun, Aug 19, 2012 at 5:20 PM, ...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi there, I would like to know how much it would cost to check on my hamster's ear. It has a thing sticking out of it an it grew a little bit bigger over the weeks.

Thanks for the help. Hope to get your reply soon.

EMAIL REPLY FROM DR SING DATED AUG 21, 2012
 If it is just examination, it costs $25. I think it needs surgery to remove the wart or tumour. Tel Dr Daniel 9664 0404 to get the quotation and appointment. Thanks.

1051. Holiday in Hong Kong - Aug 20 - 24, 2012

August 21, 2012  Tuesday at 4 am, Hotel Panorama, Hong Kong

I am on holiday in Hong Kong from Aug 20 to 24, 2012. I understand Cantonese and so Hong Kong is an interesting place for me but not for the other two Singaporeans with me.

The Hong Kong tour guide would lapse into Cantonese even though she was supposed to speak Mandarin. This trip, I did not go on the packaged tour as I had gone on it for 2 times previously.

Hong Kong's Hotel Panoram (4-star) was full yesterday Aug 20, 2012 according to the front-line staff. Tourism from China is the main revenue earner for the tourism industry. Some Chinese tourists even asked me for directions to the subway or out of it! 

I flew by Cathay Pacific Airways from Singapore and reached Hong Kong at 12 noon. After checking into Hotel Panorama, I went to the Yung Kee Restaurant in Queens' Road for the famous roast goose. One article in Cathay Pacific's in-flight book mentioned that the actor recommended Yung Kee's goose meat to Angeline Jolie who was very pleased with this dish. Other Hongkonger clients of mine had mentioned this same restaurant for roast goose meat.  I also checked with the staff of the hotel and the gentleman said that locals also go to eat the goose meat and therefore, the price must be affordable.

I reached there at 3 pm. "Sorry to inform you," Julia laughed and pointed to a notice outside the door expressing regrets for the inconvenience caused. "Your goose meat is sold out!". All the way from Singapore and of all days, this was the date and time that the much hyped roast goose meat was sold out. I did not wait for the 5 pm goose and my 2 Singaporeans were hot and sweating and decided to go back to the hotel to rest.

I continued with my walking and street photographs, two of which I am posting for readers to appreciate.

 

Hong Kong is vibrant if you can sense it. There was a woman with her bags sleeping outside the high class departmental shops in Central and no policemen came to move her away. The location is excellent, at a corner of the famous roads of Stanley Street, Queens' Street. Somewhat equivalent to Singapore's Raffles City central business district.

Another good corner location is a fruit vendor near Graham Street. She does not seem to have much business.

I may visit a veterinary surgery in Northpoint today. A break from my daily routine of morning to evening work every day including public holiday gives me a chance to review my practice's future directions and its management in a highly competitive environment where 50 vet clinics are said to exist in Singapore now.