3341. Two hatchling red-eared sliders swim lop-sided and had white spots on the carapace. White spots in an adult slider.

Sat Jun 15, 2019

The parents of a daughter in Primary 5 and 2 sons in Primary 3 and Primary 1 consulted Vet 1 who gave an injection. They consulted Toa Payoh Vets as the sliders were still not eating. They had surfed the internet for answers to the "RI" (Respiratory Infections) and came to Toa Payoh Vets.

"Poor quality sliders are usually infected," I was informed by the parents that there is great difficulty in finding hatchling sliders for sale. "The American-originated ones are of better health and quality but they may not be available."

The sliders needed to be inpatient for at least 3 days.   


CASE 2. SEP 2016. WHITE SPOTS IN AN ADULT RED-EARED SLIDER. 

A 1.5-year-old red-eared slider has had extensive white spots in Mar 2016. Now, in Sept 2016, the owner said that the white spots had had disappeared after anti-fungal antibacterial treatments for 14 days in March 2016.

The red-eared slider has not appetite for past 4 days. There are many reasons. Diarrhoea or infections are one of them. White spots did recur but should not cause appetite loss.

3340. The African Grey Parrot with seizures was advised to be "put to sleep."

Sat Jun 15, 2019


Medication for the African Grey Parrot provided by Vet 1.

0.04 x Midazolam Injection 15mg/3ml

To administer intra-nasally if having a seizure

Store in a dark drawer/cupboard

Discard after 30 days

1 x Kepra 250mg Tablet

Mix 1 tablet in 5ml of water (50mg/ml)

Give 0.08 ml 3 times a day (every 8 hours)

Seizure control medication

Shake before use

Discard solution after 2 weeks but for life-long medication.

Phenobarbital 10mg tablet

Mix 4 tablet in 10 ml of water (4mg/ml)

Give 0.1ml once a day till veterinarian advises

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

Hypocalcaemic Seizure has been reported in one African Grey Parrot. Blood test must be done to confirm this.
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1680947/pdf/canvetj00576-0054.pdf

Until the clinical pathology results became available, emergency treatment consisted of 25 mg calcium gluconate (calcium gluconate injection B.P., Glaxo Laboratories, Toronto, Ontario) given subcutaneously in 5 mL physiological saline (sodium chloride injection U.S.P., Abbott Laboratories, Montreal, Quebec), distributed in three sites over the pectoral musculature, and Injacom 100 + B complex (Hoffman LaRoche, Nutley, New Jersey) 0.06 mL diluted in 1 mL physiological saline subcutaneously (equals 6000 IU vitamin A and 600 IU vitamin D3).


The bird was placed in a hospital cage for observation and was fed a seed mix. Spectinomycin oral liquid (Syntex Agribusiness, Mississauga, Ontario) (15 drops in 120 mL water), calcium (Calcium Sandoz syrup 5 mL = 110 mg, Sandoz Canada, Dorval, Quebec) (1 mL in 30 mL water), and WinStress powder (WinStress, Winthrop Animal Health Products, Aurora, Ontario) (1/8 tsp in 600 mL water) were added to the bird's drinking water.


 Finally, in the African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus erithacus) and the Timneh grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus timneh) (5,7,8), a hypocalcemic syndrome has been documented. It is usually seen in young birds (two- to five-years-old) but has been reported in a ten-year-old bird. The birds have a history of fainting or seizures, often initiated by excitement. Blood calcium levels are consistently below normal (i.e. 6 mg/dL with the normal being 8 to 13 mg/dL) (9), and have been recorded as low as 2 to 4 mg/dL. On histopathology parathyroid glands are enlarged and there are severe degenerative changes. Vacuolation of adrenocortical cells is also present. Cortical bone sections, however, demonstrate no calcium loss or thinning as would be expected in a hypocalcemic state.

 The clinical pathology results raise several major doubts. First, that the most probable cause of the seizures was hypocalcemia. Other potential causes of seizures (6) in birds include hypoglycemia, toxicosis (lead, mercury), infections, and epilepsy. This bird was not hypoglycemic. The prompt response to calcium therapy, together with no recurrence of seizures over a sixteen month period would tend to rule-out epilepsy. The possibility of a concurrent bacteremia must be considered due to the Enterobacteriaceae cloacal culture. Enterobacteriaceae frequently cause disease in pet birds (8), and birds seem prone to develop bacteremia. Thus, the initiation of the seizures by infection plus stress, as manifested by the increase in heterophils and glucose (Table 1), cannot be ruled out. The female bird, living in the same home and fed the same diet as the subject bird for four years, did not manifest hypocalcemia. Perhaps this would introduce some skepticism as to the hypothesis (5,7) of a virus damaging the parathyroid gland of the male bird.

Prophylactic measures to prevent the hypocalcemic seizure syndrome in African grey parrots should include vitamin D3 supplementation and periodic determinations of blood calcium levels. A calcium replete diet should be provided. Client to provide a detailed diet sheet to the vet.

3339. Old female dog has recurring mammary tumour spreading to the lungs

In March 2018, the mammary tumour was removed and the dog was spayed by Vet 1. In May 2018, the tumour recurred.Vet 2 removed the tumour and took a chest X-ray. The X-rays showed multiple nodules in the lungs. These are secondary tumours from the mammary glands.

Between May 2018 to Jun 2019, the owner had consulted Vet 2 as the tumour had recurred and ulcerated. "Vet 2 gave me a wash and antibiotic powder, asking me to bring the dog for euthanasia later. But my dog keeps dripping blood from his tumour and we need to clean up after her!"

Jun 6, 2019.   The dog's tumour had grown to a sausage-shaped mass about 8cm x 4 cm. One end was eaten up by maggots. Blood dripped out continuously, soiling the apartment. The dog was not eating and had a lower than normal rectal temperature of 37.7 deg C

The tumour recurred but Vet 2 would not operate. Yet the dog had been active and so the owner did not want to put her down.  The tumour became badly infected.  When seen by  Toa Payoh Vets, the blood test showed leucocytosis and anaemia, indicating a blood-borne bacterial infection and chronic blood loss.

3338. Nature Stories: Oriental Garden Lizard and birds - 9, 11, 12 June 2019. Sunbird on 15 Sep 2023.

15 Sep 2023.

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Use TV at 1/1000 sec for moving bird.

The female Olive-backed Sunbird has yellow throat and eyebrows, but the male flashes a blue iridescent throat. YCK Singapore. 15 Sep 2023, 5.42pm.

Canon R5, TV, ISO 125, f/4.5, 1/1000 sec, 100mm.

TO BUY PHOTO:   www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2019/06/3338-nature-stories-oriental-garden.html

Evening walk at Casuarina Walk and the vicinity. I didn't expect to see any birds as most landed properties do not get visited by birds. But this house had a shrub producing numerous yellow bells (Tecoma stans). A Carpenter Bee with blue thorax buzzed amongst the flowers. I managed to take sharp photos of his back view. A sunbird popped in and out of the shrub, sucking nectar from the flowers by piercing the petals to access the nectar with her curved sharp beak.

 "Come over to this side," a Myanmar maid carrying a toddler said to me as I told her I could see only the back of the sunbird. The slim short personable lady from Monywa, Sagaing Division, located in Myanmar was a passerby who lived in this residential enclave of semi-detaached houses. She had not been home for 7 years. I got this good photo because of her advice.

 -----------------
Another image of the sunbird

 Image of a blue Carpenter Bee on 15 Sep 2023 on Tecoma stans (Yellow Bells) in Casuarina Walk.

15 Sep 2023.
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS: Use TV at 1/1000 sec for moving bee.

YCK Singapore. 15 Sep 2023, 5.42pm.�
Canon R5, TV, ISO 320, f/4.5, 1/1000 sec, 105mm.�

#bluecarpenterbee
#singaporebees
#kongyuensing
#shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

TO BUY PHOTO:   www.shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

UPDATE:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2019/06/3338-nature-stories-oriental-garden.html

Evening walk at Casuarina Walk and the vicinity. I didn't expect to see any birds as most landed properties do not get visited by birds. But this house had a shrub producing numerous yellow bells (Tecoma stans).

A Carpenter Bee with blue thorax buzzed amongst the flowers. I managed to take sharp photos of his back view.

A sunbird popped in and out of the shrub of Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) outside a semi-detached house in Casuarina Walk.

 

 

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

Sun Jun 9, 2019

Blue skies white clouds at 8.30 am when I went for exercise walk but drizzle at 10 am.
A brown bird flew past me and perched on a tree opposite the road. I leant my hand on a tree to steady my camera and got a clear view. 3 angry red ants bit me.

I did not expect the see the OGL (Oriental Garden Lizard) today as I was late. Usually I would be at the tree at 7.30 am to 8 am. He was absent.

But I saw the red-whiskered bulbul on a tree and clicked him. On hearing the clicks, he flew off. Later, near the OGL tree, he was up on a nearby tree where the Pink-necked green pigeon (PNGP) used to roost. I videoed him (Video).  

On the OGL tree, large polka-dotted bird hid inside the branches but flew off after I took some images (image). In the nearby area, I saw the sunbird tweeting in another tree with orange flowers.

I saw sparrows, rock pigeons and mynahs but did not photograph them. I got a photo of a spotted pigeon sunning up a tree (image).

Later, a smaller OGL crossed my path as I walked past the bushes in this area where I had seen one OGL on a tree around 2 weeks ago.  (Images taken). So I was hopeful. But he sprinted to hide inside the bush and I could not locate him. I walked elsewhere to the end of the road and came back. There he was lower down a tree trunk and hard to spot. Took images. He sprinted up the tree after a while. Got another image.

Dark clouds. drizzle. I went home.  .

So, this was a fruitful Sunday in the sense that there were the reptile and the birds seen by me.  .


Tue Jun 11, 2019   9 am  Overcast day
The 2nd tree lizard was very high up in the same tree. I had thought he had disappeared as no lizards appeared in the same tree for a long time as there are many trees. There he was. Silhoueletted. I took an image.

I looked for the 2nd tree lizard. None was seen on the tree. There was a sudden movement in the grass patch below. I went behind the tree and spotted this lizard.


Wed Jun 12, 2019     9 am. Bright sunny day.
The first tree lizard was there looking downwards (image). He was watching me. I took photograph at a far distance as he would slid away if I ventured into his space.

I went to watch for the second tree lizard. None was seen.  I went back to the first tree. The lizard was still in the same position facing downwards. I approached closer to around 10 feet. He did a split-second somersault and faced the upward direction (image).
Wed Jun 12, 2019   8.30am  Bright sunny morning in the early part.

3337. The community cat stopped eating for a few days

May 19, 2018 


WHY IS MY CAT ANOREXIC?

"He was missing for a few days," the worried doctor usually see the stray cat in her garden every night for the past 3 years. "When he returned, he had been neutered by somebody. Who could have done it?  Could this be the other stray cat caregiver in my neighbourhood?"

The caregiver consulted me because the cat stopped eating. He was a ravenous cat whenever he returned from his outings. He was not the type to stay at home., 

"Why didn't you neuter him earlier to prevent him straying?" I asked. The lady said that she could not crate him. Most likely, she considered neutering as unnatural and cruel. She wanted him to be a normal cat living a free life.   

"I did some internet research," she shared. "There are two types of stray cats, also known as feral cats. One type does not trust human beings. The other type like this one, had been abandoned or lost. Since the latter had contact with people, he does not object to handling.:

I examined the cat on the consultation table after checking his medical record. Last month, he was treated by Dr Daniel for ear mites and had recovered. He had a blood test done, showing very low platelet count. I noticed a large right facial swelling on the lower facial area. The left face was taut. 
The owner was not aware of this discrepancy.  His ears were still oozing black wax. I palpated the right ear. The cat moved his head away from me, in protest of pain. 

"What is the cause of his loss of appetite?"

"Most likely an infection based on his lifestyle as the tom-cat of the neighbourhood," I said. "His right facial swelling indicated a serious infection from cat fight wounds, leading to a large abscess and pain."








1.  A TOM CAT came into caregiver's house to fight this tom cat. Somersault and meowing. Claws out.  Caregiver was witness and attempted separation.

2. This cat is very loving. But must go out. The night before this consultation, had gone out the whole night. That is his life-style. To look for females and to dominate other tom cats. A good fight. His skin is very thick compared to the normal domesticated short haired. Very difficult to take blood as the needle is hard to pierce the skin.


HOW TO DIAGNOSE CAUSE OF ANOREXIA.

3. BLOOD TEST. Platelets 90 (very low) last month. Now 290 (low ). Toxaemia. 
No generalised bacterial infection as the total white cell count and neutrophil count is normal.  

WHAT DID THE VET DO?
Loss of appetite would likely be due to pain in the swollen right face which was scarred by the other cat (evidence - image). No pus was detected. The infection went to the right ear area and so the cat vigorously objected to me touching the right ear as compared to the left ear. If painful, will not eat although active and wanted to go out.  

He was sedated and the ears' dirty black secretions were cleared up once again.
Right facial abscess lanced. No pus. Fibrous tissues healing. 


4. FOLLOW UP ON MAY 19, 2018.

Saturday, May 19, 2018. 22:54
Hi, is Ginger eating today?

Saturday, May 19, 2018. 23:07
Hi Dr Sing. Yes. Thank you so much. Ginger's appetite is much better today. Able to eat packet food. No dry food yet. Started ear drop and antibiotic today.

3336. Corneal opacification - corneal ulcer or lipid deposition?

2nd opinion of a dog with cloudy cornea for many weeks or months.


IMAGE TAKEN IN 2018. Not able to clearly see the right eye corneal opacification.

Owner's photo of dog in mid 2018. Cloudy cornea of his dog is  not obvious

Close up of dog's right eye. Cloudy cornea not obvious. 

DSLR camera image, applying the fluorescein stain test. Corneal ulceration will show affected corneal surface as green. Corneal Lipid Deposition will not show cornea as green.

Jun 2019 photo by Toa Payoh Vets. Right eye is cloudy

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ORIGINAL IMAGES

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3335. Fruits - Pomegranate, Rose Apple