4167. Photography of trees - A solitary Jambu tree in Singapore

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19 JUL 2022. This 40-year-old Jambu tree rejuvenates with a new set of vivid green leaves. Is it due to Covid-19 pandemic and climate change?

PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
Best to use tripod as there is difficulty in focusing leaves. Take several photos.

Canon R5. Tripod. AV Mode, F/16 ISO 200

 

11 NOV 2022. SINGAPORE FLORA. A Jambu tree planted over 40 years ago by a veterinarian in his practice. The tree has new crop of leaves and some leaves have lumps or leaf galls. It is rare to find such a sturdy tree in Singapore.  

 UPDATES AT:

 https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4167-photography-of-trees.html

 

 

 

 

I took a video:

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

UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4167-photography-of-trees.html

INFORMATION FROM NPARKS SINGAPORE

Syzygium aqueum (Burm. f.) Alston

Family Name:	Myrtaceae
Synonyms:	Eugenia javanica, Eugenia mindanaensis, Eugenia aquea

Water Apple, Jambu Air Mawar, Water Rose Apple, Watery Rose Apple, Water Cherry, Java Apple, Bell Fruit, Jambu Ayer, Jambu Chili, Jambu Air

 

Growth Form: Small evergreen tree with a dense, spreading crown. Habitat: This species occurs in moist tropical lowlands at altitudes of up to 1200 m. It grows best in climates that have a substantial dry season, but only in locations where they have ready access to water (eg., near a stream). 

 

Trunk: Trunk is short with branching occuring at about 1 m. Bark is brown and cracked. Foliage: Leaves are elliptic (5 - 23 cm long, 2.5 - 13 cm wide) with very short petioles. Flowers: Flowers (2.5 - 3.5 cm wide) are loosely arranged in small terminal or axillary clusters of 3 - 7. The bisexual flowers carry a large number of long stamens that give the flowers a fluffy appearance. They have a subtle fragrance. 

 

Fruits: Fruits are pear-shaped berries (5 cm long). The apex has a shallow cavity that is partially covered by 4 fleshy sepals. The skin is shiny, thin and waxy, while the flesh is white, juicy and crisp. Fruits are often seedless, but sometimes have 1 - 4 small seeds. 

 

In Singapore, the fruits are typically produced from January to March and from July to September. Landscaping: This plant is often planted in tropical parks and gardens. The pink to red fruits add colour and interest to the landscape. They can be used for screening, but should be planted on the outside of the screen. 

This species grows well when planted next to streams and ponds, because it requires a consistent supply of water. Cultivation: It grows best in open, tropical environments. Add well-rotted compost to the soil before planting. During the first 2 years of growth, the trees should be carefully weeded, watered and mulched with regular applications of manure or complete fertilizer. After the trees have become established, they require minimal maintenance. 

 

This species grows quickly and will produce fruits within 2- 3 years. For optimal fruit production, apply a compound fertilizer after harvesting the fruits. 

Propagation: In Southeast Asia, this species is typically propagated by air layering. It can also be propagated by cuttings, budding, marcotting and grafting. Although seeds can be planted, they do not store well and must be planted immediately. 

 

Etymology: The genus name "Syzygium" is derived from the Greek word "suzugos" which means joined. Syzygium used to be the name of a Jamaican plant species with paired leaves and branches. The species epithet "aqueum" refers to the juicy fruits of this species. It comes from the Latin word "aqueus" which means watery.

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4166. Merlion tourists Sunday 17 Jul 2022 images. Merlion's 50th birthday on 15 Sep 2022.

Merlion turns 50 on Thursday 15 Sep 2022. Designed by artist Kwan Sai Kehong and completed in 1972 by Singapore sculptor Lim Nang Seng. The statue is a well-recognised icon internationally. Light-ups and other events to celebrate its golden jubilee.

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Youtube image

 

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP. I happened to be at the right place and right time to take an attractive photo (owing to the banner).

1. The “Beautiful Singapore” banner attracts the viewer. It has the graphics of the Marina Bay Sands, Jubilee Bridge and the MerlionSunday 17 Jul 2022.

2. The sky was overcast - not too glaring as the sun was in front and to the left of me.

3. The group displays various degrees of attention to the photographer! One sister had her eyes closed. One man seemed to be eyeing the lady....

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

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PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Focus on the sunglasses of the lady tourist in pink dress. This oblique view is better than the front view in this case. The sun is behind her, hence the image is dark and at 100% view, the face is "noisy". 

Canon EOS 90D, 18-200mm lens, single point central focus, P Mode.

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19 JUL 2022:

PHOTOGRAPHY TIP: Try to focus on the face of the squatting man in white shirt and include the Merlion. Crop out one tower of the Marina Bay Sands hotel so as to show the packaged tour group.

Canon EOS 90D, 18-200mm lens, single point central focus, P Mode.

4165. Toa Payoh Public Library image

SINGAPORE - 16 JUL 2022, 6.30 PM: The  Toa Payoh Public Library, opened in 1974. was the second public library set up during the rapid expansion of the public library network in the 1970s. 

Image from handphone  iphone by Shan

4164. The 9-year-old Spitz has gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis Stage 1) AND hair loss on the nose tip.

How to check the teeth and gums of the 9-year-old Spitz?
Be KIND TO PETS VETERINARY VIDEOS sponsored by toapayohvets

SINGAPORE - 17 JULY 2022, TOA PAYOH VETS:

Most dog owners do not check or brush their dog's teeth regularly. To check the health of the dog's teeth and gums, put the dog on a table. Use your hands to open the mouth. The back of the cheek teeth is exposed with fingers. Check for tartar, plaque, gum bleeding and inflammation, loose teeth and pain. Dogs with tooth ache will resist the owner's opening of his mouth OR bite the owner.

In this 9-year-old Spitz, some of the teeth have tartar and plaque. There is no tooth pain on palpation. Slight gum inflammation around the back teeth. The dog had a dental scaling at another vet clinic around one year ago. The owner brushed his teeth once a month.

In conclusion, the dog has periodontal disease Stage 1. It is known as gingivitis or inflammation of the gums or gum disease. He needs dental scaling to prevent periodontal diseases. It is up to the owner whether to accept my advice to get the dental scaling to remove the plaque and tartar.

UPDATES AT:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4164-9-year-old-spitz-has-gum-disease.html

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Gum Disease - What it is Gum disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the gums and the bone supporting the teeth. It can affect one tooth or several teeth. If left untreated, it may lead to the loss of tooth or teeth. 

The main cause of gum disease is bacterial plaque. It is a sticky film, made up of bacterial and salivary protein, that accumulates on the surface of the teeth. The plaque causes ‘gingivitis’ which is an inflammation of the gums. The gums become red and puffy, and bleed easily. Gingivitis is a mild form of gum disease which is reversible. Left untreated, it can progress to a more advanced stage of gum disease called periodontitis. 

 

The gums start to separate from the teeth, allowing bacteria to form periodontal (gum) pockets which will destroy the underlying supporting structures (bone and connective tissue). The teeth may eventually become loose and need to be removed. The disease can occur at any age.

UPDATES AT:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4164-9-year-old-spitz-has-gum-disease.html

 

 

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 How to restore the hair loss of the nose tip of the 9-year-old Spitz? Be KIND TO PETS VETERINARY VIDEOS sponsored by toapayohvets SINGAPORE - 17 JULY 2022, TOA PAYOH VETS: The hair loss was due to the Spitz digging his nose into the soil when he was taken downstairs several times a day. He would urine mark several times and used his nose to rub against the grass. Stopping this habit and medication to wash the nose and anti-inflammatory for 3 weeks resulted in the hair regrowth back onto the nasal tip. UPDATES AT: https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4164-9-year-old-spitz-has-gum-disease.html

 

 

 

4163. The old Spitz has a very itchy nose AND urinary stones. What to do?

 

ITCHY NOSE AND URINARY STONES IN AN OLD SPITZ
Veterinary Educational Stories by Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
17 Aug 2022

On 21 Jul 2022, the owner wanted a review of her dog's health. Her male neutered 9-year-old Spitz dog had blood in the stools 3 months ago. Today, she brought in another stool sample. It was normal when examined by the Veterinary Laboratory.

The dog had two abnormal incidental findings:
1. The hair loss at the tip of his nose. This was an abnormal but treatable with medication and skin wash for 14 days and to prevent nose digging on the grass areas. The dog's nose tip grew hairs after 21 days.

2. The abdomen at the bladder/rectal area had a small 3-cm globular lump in that area. The dog reacted in discomfort when I palpated this lump. Was it a bladder stone or intestinal tumour causing this reaction during palpation?

X-rays showed no large radio-dense urinary stones in the bladder or elsewhere in the urinary tract. Urine tests showed calcium oxalate crystals and alkaline urine. The dog was put on a therapeutic diet, Hill's u/d.

On 11 Aug 2022, a UROHYDROPROPULSION procedure was done by me. The dog's bladder was catheterised and irrigated with saline to suck out any small bladder stones which would not be visible on the -rays. This time, the dog's urine was positive for bilirubin 2+. Bilirubin in the dog's urine in small amounts is normal, but this was 2+. I advised another urine analysis 3 months later. In these 3 months, the dog will eat the therapeutic diet to prevent any calcium oxalate urinary stones.

MORE UPDATES AT:

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4163-old-spitz-has-itchy-nose-what-to-do.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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DR SING'S TIPS FOR DOG OWNERS
24 Jul 2022

ITCHY NOSE IN A DOG.
Hair loss around the tip of the dog's nose is usually due to itchiness. It is best to consult your vet before the whole area becomes badly infected and smelly.

You can see that the hairs around a nose tip in a normal dog is present in full.

For appointments at Toa Payoh Vets,
+65 6254-3326, 9668-6468, 9664-0404
www.toapayohvets.com

More information about this itchy nose dog at:

 

 

 

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VIDEO SCRIPT  17 JULY 2022

The old Spitz has a very itchy nose. What to do?

HOOK will be nose wart

On 14 Jul 2022, the owner wanted a review of her dog's health. Her dog had blood in the stools 3 months ago. She brought the stool sample.   I noted that the hair loss at the tip of her nose. This was an abnormal incidental finding. 

The owner's main concern was to have her dog's stools analysed for abnormalities.

I had taken images of the affected nose area for record (SHOW TWO IMAGES as well as video hook).

A very small wart of 5 mm diameter was present but could be overlooked unless I reviewed the image close-up.


What is the cause of this hair loss?

"I think this hair loss has been present for over one year," the owner could not recall exactly.

BKTP text flashed as subtitles 

MIDDLE

"Did he put his nose under the bed or furniture?" I asked the gentleman. "No," he replied. 
"Did he rub his nose onto the grass?" This male dog would only pee outdoors.
"He will urine mark 10-20 times a day," the man said. "He does rub his nose onto the grass patch when he goes downstairs."

"Why does he do that?" I asked. "Is it a vice or bad habit? Or is his nose itchy?"

The owner had no answer.

1. define VICE.
A vice in people or dogs is a bad habit. 

For example, I had an intern who would click her pen when we were discussing her case study. She did not do it on purpose. I would consider this a vice. 

This dog could have discovered that digging his nose onto the grass every time he urine-marked 10-20 times a day had gained him some attention. He was home alone when the young couple work. Over the year, the nose tip became traumatised. Bacterial infection caused itchiness. More nose tip rubbing cause hair loss.   

2.  define NOSE WART.
A wart is a skin growth, usually caused by a virus and present in older dogs.

 This was a small wart of less than 5 mm across on the left side of the nose tip I saw on review of the image. It was missed during a visual examination as it was really tiny.  

Could this tiny wart cause nose itchiness? This is possible as the nose area in the dog is very sensitive. The wart could have tickled the nerves in this area. The dog had to rub or paw his nose to relieve the nuisance of irritating sensation. People will scratch their skin till it bleeds so as to relieve the itch. Dogs do that too.
    

I asked the owner to monitor its growth. If it grows bigger, I advise removal. 

CONCLUSION

I prescribed anti-inflammatory medication for a month. A skin wash to clear the bacteria and fungi on the skin surface. The owner would prevent his dog rubbing his nose on the soil.

3 days later, I phoned. The dog no longer felt the urge to relieve his nose itch by rubbing it on the soil. It will take around 1-2 months to know whether the dog no longer has itchy nose or needs to have his left nose wart excised by me. 

This was an interesting case in that the skin wart was present. Hence, I could not say for sure that the hair loss and itchiness in the tip of the nose was due to the vice.

 

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The 9-year-old Spitz has a very itchy nose in Jul 2022. What to do? 
Be Kind To Pets Veterinary Video sponsored by Toa Payoh Vets.

On 18 Mar 2022, the young lady owner consulted me as her dog had passed some blood in the stools. The stools were soft and brownish. Laboratory analysis reported no red or white blood cells, ova, cysts or parasites detected. The dog did not pass blood anymore. But the blood test showed low platelet count at 141 x10^9/L (normal is 200-500). She did not come for another blood test review one month later.  

On 14 Jul 2022, the owner wanted a review of her dog's health. Physical examination revealed the hair loss at the tip of her nose. A wart was present. What is the cause of this hair loss?

"I think this hair loss has been present for over one year," the owner could not recall exactly. In my first examination of him in Mar 2022, I did not raise this issue as the owner was more concerned about the presence of blood in his stools.  

This time on 14 Jul, I raised this matter of abnormal hair loss on the bridge of the nose.
 
"Did he put his nose under the bed or furniture?" I asked the gentleman. "No," he replied. 
"Did he rub his nose onto the grass?" This male dog would only pee outdoors.
"He will urine mark 10-20 times a day," the man said. "He does rub his nose onto the grass patch when he goes downstairs."

"Why does he do that?" I asked. "Is it a vice or bad habit? Or is his nose itchy?"

The owner had no answer.

There was a small wart of less than 5 mm across on the left side of the nose tip. Could this tiny wart cause nose itchiness? This is possible as the nose area in the dog is very sensitive.

I asked the owner to monitor its growth. If it grows bigger, I advise removal. 

I put the dog on anti-inflammatory medication for a month. A skin wash to clear the bacteria and fungi on the skin surface. The owner would prevent his dog rubbing his nose on the soil.

3 days later, I phoned. The dog no longer felt the urge to relieve his nose itch by rubbing it on the soil. It will take around 1-2 months to know whether the dog no longer has itchy nose or needs to have his left nose wart excised by me.    

UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4163-old-spitz-has-itchy-nose-what-to-do.html

4162. ADVICES FOR THE YOUNG: Four Peacock Pansies in one location - rare situation

ADVICES FOR THE YOUNG: Take a Nature or wildlife photo a day when you are younger than 72 years old. You may be maintaining your mental well-being, vision and hand balance to old age.

One of the 4 Peacock Pansy butterflies posing patiently for me in Yio Chu Kang Cres forest on 13 Jul 2022. It is very rare to see four of them in one location or to see even one nowadaysTO BUY PHOTO:shutterstock.com/g/toapayohvets

Camera Canon DSLR EOS 90D, 18-200 MM LENS. P Mode. Handheld. No breeze. Bright sunshine. No breeze to shake grass and butterfly. Should have used tripod if possible.

4161. Stray cats in Singapore 2022.

2022 SITUATION - RARE SIGHTINGS

1. Documentary about a rare sighting of a stray cat in the void deck of Ang Mo Kio in July 2022.

2. Covid-19 pandemic.
New Omicron variants. Spikes in infections every few months.
Since Apr 2022, Covid-19 is considered an endemic.
Stray cat situation affected by Covid-19 curbs from 2020 - 2022. Less TNR efforts as volunteers stop helping out

 

3. TNR efforts by NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations)
3.1 Fostering, Socialising and Rehoming by NGOs. 
3.2 TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) Program by NGOs
3.3 Responsible daily feeding, usually by the elderly people
3.4 Medical care - NGOs, kind peope

4. Reasons for declining numbers
4.1 Many adult stray cats are not adoptable as they are used to a life outside.
Caterwauling, public nuisance, peeing and pooping on public areas and private gardens.
4.2 NGOs' SUPPORT FOR FEEDERS.
Irresponsible daily feeding - not using paper plates and clearing of place after feeding - cockroaches and Pest Control to cull them.  Education. NGOs provide money for TNR and daily feeding
4.3 Medical care to vets. 

UPDATES

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/07/4161-stray-cats-in-singapore-2022.html

 

VIDEOS OF STRAY CATS