Vet On the Go - housecall service (2024)

07/09/2024

-- Dear Dr Tay, I am curious that my cat wags his tail in a variety of manner. What do they mean?

-- Decoding “tail language” is an art all by itself. Cats wagging their tails express various nuances, providing insights into their emotions and intent. Unlike dogs, for whom tail wagging predominantly indicates happiness, cats use their tails to express a broader spectrum of emotions.

(a) The positive: A gently swaying tail or a slightly raised tail with a relaxed curve indicates a happy and content cat. Often accompanied by purring and an expression of affection. In a friendly setting, a "fluffy" tail also denote pleasure and excitement, and this is not to be confused with a “puffed-up” tail representing fear.

(b) The negative: Conversely, a thumping tail when lying down, signifies annoyance. Similarly, a tail swept low to the ground or “puffed-up” like a bottle brush, signifies fear or defensive aggression. The cat is not in a good mood and best to avoid stressing it further.

(c) The ambiguous: Some tail movements fall into a grey area. For instance, a twitching tail tip can indicate intense focus, often when a cat is playing; but can also signal slight irritation. Observing other body language cues, such as ear position, whisker movement, and vocalizations, is crucial for accurate interpretation.

(d) The health: Sometimes, changes in tail movement can indicate health issues; such as when a tail suddenly cannot be lifted or is painful when touched. Persistent, unexplained changes in tail movement patterns warrant a consultation.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

10/06/2024

-- Hi Dr Tay, I am still schooling but thinking of having a pet. Is it time for me to do so?

-- In the bustling life of a student with tons of schoolwork, having a pet addition does sound daunting. But there are merits to having a companion. From a fish's quiet presence to a dog's energetic antics, pets can significantly impact a student's life.

Pets can offer stress relief to a student’s life. Pets offer unconditional love and acceptance of who you are, giving you a sense of self-worth. Playing and just watching a fun pet can reduce stress via hormonal balancing, which also improves your physical and mental health. Pets are also a great listener to your emotional frustrations. Physically, taking dogs for walks increase your activity, taking you away from long hours of sitting down.

To take care of a pet, it provides a structured routine to your life. This also teaches responsibility and time management early in life, emphasizing the importance of organisation. Having a pet next to you when you study also improves efficiency (believe it or not!), taking out monotony and allowing you to take breaks to focus on something else so that you refresh yourself.

Thus overall, while it takes time to care for a pet, generally the benefits are better for a healthy balanced student’s life.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

09/02/2024

Wishing all in Singapore a Prosperous Dragon Year 2024!

07/02/2024

--Healthy tidbits: Hey doc, do I need to vaccinate my dog and cat?

--Yes, indeed! Our furry friends are exposed to a host of viruses and bacteria which can be life threatening. Fortunately with advancement in science, a single vaccine can protect against many of these infections! This is what we call Core Vaccination, which is carried out once a year.
For dogs, there are critical ones such as canine parvovirus, canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. For cats, there are rhinotracheitis, calici virus, panleukopaenia and chlamydia.
Make an appointment with your Vet annually for a general check and maintain the vaccination current.

There are further more specialised vaccines which can be deployed under certain circumstances.
For dogs, there is a vaccine targeting the "Kennel Cough" complex. As the name suggests, it is a condition for dogs housed in high density. So if you are putting your dog into boarding when you are away, then you should get your dog vaccinated against this. It is very worthwhile to do so for the benefit of your dog. There is also a rare vaccine which is generally not used, but could be done so when exporting your dog. Yes, this is against the deadly Rabies virus. I will speak more on this in future. But just to share a celebrated info: Singapore has been free from Rabies since 1953!
For the cats, we have Feline Leukaemia virus (FeLV), which is a vaccine recommended if your cat wanders around on its own. You will never be sure what it might pick up and who it might meet. So it is best to protect against this.
Hope the posts on Vaccinations are useful info for you. Your pets will be happy and safe from vicious infections with these advanced sciences. Enjoy the time with them!

郑医生分享宠物那些事

--喂养护理Tips：之核心疫苗
--常见问题：在新加坡需要给宠物猫狗注射预防针吗?
--郑医生建议：需要。毛茸茸的小动物长期暴露于多种病毒和细菌中，可能威胁生命。幸运的是，随着科学的进步，一次的疫苗注射就可以预防许多此类感染。这就是我们常说的，所谓的核心疫苗接种，只需要每年注射一次就可以了。
可以帮助狗狗预防一些关键性疾病，例如犬细小病毒，犬瘟热病毒，犬腺病毒，伪流感和钩端螺旋体病。
对于猫，主要预防的是鼻气管炎，杯状病毒，猫泛白癜风和衣原体感染。
每年给小动物进行一次行常规检查吧，并及时了解疫苗接种最新状态。

除了通过核心疫苗的接种，来预防可能致命的已确定疾病。在哪些情况下还要接种更多专业疫苗呢？
对于狗，有一种针对 “kennel cough 综合症”的疫苗。顾名思义，就是狗在高密度集中居住的条件下常见的一种传染性咳嗽，因此，如果您在外出时，想要把狗送去寄宿，最好提前给狗接种疫苗。为了更好地保护您的宠物，这样做是非常值得的。还有一种稀有疫苗，通常不使用，只有在猫狗出口，或者要带猫狗离开新加坡时才需要。是的，这就是针对致命的狂犬病病毒的疫苗（猫同样适用），以后我会再详细介绍。令人鼓舞的是：自1953年以来，新加坡就摆脱了狂犬病！所以，在新加坡养宠物的朋友不用担心。

-来自Vet on the Go 郑春义医生的分享。（微信号：DrTayCN）

19/12/2023

Chocolates - the lovely stuff: Dr Tay, I heard that chocolate is poisonous to dogs. Is it true?

Yes, unfortunately chocolate is toxic to dogs (and cats too!). It is rarely fatal but can result in significant illness. This arises from “theobromine” in chocolate, which is very similar to caffeine. Dogs cannot metabolise this as well as people. There are various references to toxic levels of the chocolate for dogs; and generally dark chocolate has more theobromine than milk chocolate. Excessive amounts can cause vomiting and diarrhea, increased thirst and urination, panting or restlessness and a racing heart rate. In severe cases, muscle tremors, seizures, and heart failure can be seen. When in doubt, immediate treatment is warranted. If caught early, we can induce vomitting to remove excess amounts from the stomach, or give a binder to reduce absorption. For milder symptoms there are medications I can use for relief. However in serious cases, the dog may need to be hospitalised and put on drips. So be aware of leaving stuff lying around which are attractive to your pets!

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go; drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

--宠物喂养护理Tips：巧克力之毒

郑医生分享宠物那些事

--常见问题：美味的巧克力，竟然有可能是动物的毒品，这是真的吗？
--郑医生解答：
是的，对人类来说美味的巧克力，对狗（和猫！）却是有毒的。虽然食用巧克力很少致命，但会导致严重的问题。这是由于巧克力中的“可可碱”（“theobromine”）与咖啡因非常相似。狗不能像人一样迅速代谢这种物质。参考文献中提出很多关于狗巧克力的毒性水平，但基本上通常黑巧克力比牛奶巧克力有更多的可可碱。过量食用会引起呕吐和腹泻，口渴和排尿增加，气喘或躁动不安以及心跳加快。在严重的情况下，可以看到动物的肌肉震颤,癫痫发作和心力衰竭。如果你的宠物不小心误食了巧克力，应立即治疗。如果发现得早，我们可以通过催吐的方式，帮助它们从胃中去除过量的食物，或给予粘合剂以减少吸收。对于较轻的症状，有些药物可以缓解。但是，在严重的情况下，可能需要将动物送院治疗并打点滴了。因此，美味的巧克力要放置在动物接触不到的地方哦！
-来自Vet on the Go 郑春义医生的分享。（微信号：DrTayCN）

06/11/2023

-- Hi Dr Tay, I am thinking of having a small pet but not sure what could be suitable. Any advice?

-- Pets can be great sources of companionship and comfort. Pet owners often experience increased self-esteem and reduced feelings of loneliness, as well as even physical health benefits such as lowered blood pressure. But owning a pet comes with great responsibility in terms of care and not abandoning it till the end of life. Beyond dogs and cats, the small furries are attractive pets to start with in many cases.

1. The Bunny - Rabbits are social, friendly animals and adapt very well to humans. They live the longest among the small furries with an average of 8 years. The cute looks is a great attraction with kids. Do note that rabbits are herd animals and prefer to have more than one for socialising. Their feet is bad with cages so they generally prefer solid floorings. Rabbits need daily handling to be comfortable. They have very delicate digestive system and can easily die from a stomach upset. They are also very cautious animals and can be easily spooked and can break their backs if they are roughly handled.

2. Keep a Hamster in mind - Hamsters are a cuddly, friendly, and inquisitive type of pet rodent. They are independent and self-entertaining as long as there is a variety of toys in the cage. Hamsters are solitary so you should allow space for them to stay on their own if you intend to keep more than one. But they must be handled gently or they will bite very hard. Children will have to be careful with that. Hamsters are short-lived, averaging 2.5 years, so they can make good starter pets, but can be a sad thing for your kid.

3. Fun with Ferrets - Ferrets are engaging pets with a playful attitude and boundless energy. They live also averaging 8 years. You will have to ferret-proof your home as it is very inquisitive and will go through gaps to access various places, or even escape. Ferrets do not like to stay inside a cage and would always go exploring. One thing that people could not stand is the musky odour.

4. Taking care of Gander the Guinea Pig - Guinea pigs are considered the sweetest and most social of the pet rodents. They live an average of 6 years. They can be kept in cages quite readily. Most guinea pigs have long hair that require grooming. They are herd animals like rabbits, so would need more than one together.

5. Choice of a Chinchilla - Chinchillas are adorable pet rodents with soft fur, large ears, and bushy tails. They live an average of 7 years. Chinchillas tend to be solitary and do not need a companion. But they can form a close bond as a pair. They are very clean animals like cats thus needing a dust bowl to allow it to bathe. Handling chinchillas have to be careful as their fur can slough off easily. They are also fairly large so may be difficult to handle for a kid.

6. Gerbils - Gerbils are cute little pet rodents which are independent and can keep themselves entertained for extended periods. They live an average of 4 years. Like all rodents, they bit when startled. Their urine is concentrated so will emit a strong odour, thus requiring more attention to cleaning the enclosure.

There are plenty of pet alternatives to choose from, especially if you are more comfortable welcoming a small pet into your home.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

08/10/2023

-- Dear Dr Tay, my kitten is expressing some behavour but I am not too sure what to make of them, like purring a lot and jumping onto me.

-- Kitties are sweet creatures and can be very loving towards us. What you are seeing may be expression of affection from your pet. If you see some of these signs, they are usually a show of love. Of course not showing them does not mean your cat does not love you. Just like people, some cats are better communicators than others.

The most common sign you may see is purring, which is a happy and comfortable cat. Some vocal cats may also meow in a very sweet manner and wanting your attention. Many people have experienced cats rubbing against your legs which is wanting its scent on you. It is also possible they want to be picked up. So go ahead and pick it up and give it a little pat to make its day. Kneeding also shows its affection, although it can be painful due to the sharp claws. So trimming the claws help if your cat is an indoor one. Cat also likes to jump onto your lap and curl up on it, or an insistent cat will follow you all around the house. Very attached cats will want to lie down with you but not all owners like their pets in bed. Finally, cats that enjoy the rubbing and petting will paw you as a gesture for you to continue with it as it is really enjoying itself.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

06/09/2023

-- Dear Dr Tay, my cat laze around all the time. I am worried if it has lack of exercise.

-- It is in the cat’s genes that it will spend a lot of quiet time. A lot of owners do not recognise the value of having exercise for cats, unlike dog owners. It may not be easy, but certain games can entice your cat to be more active and hopefully stay healthy for longer.

1. Having more than 1 cat. Cats can play with each other well. You can start with a pair, and add on more later if necessary. Of course the chemistry among them would be a consideration.
2. The Cat Condo - cats naturally like heights so something for them to climb and jump around from is useful
3. Having a variety of toys would keep cats entertained, as they are very smart. This is the most common way of letting cats stay more active.
4. Cat treadmill? Something that can be attempted but not always workable
5. Create an obstacle course, using household items like cardboxes, is usually an economical way of keeping cats mobile around the various contraptions
6. Taking a walk outside can be used for some cats which can be led on leash.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

09/08/2023

Dog in the sky ….

01/08/2023

- Dear Dr Tay, the hot weather is upon us. What can I do to keep my dog safe?

-- Dogs have a separate needs for dealing with hot weather, as they cannot sweat normally like us humans. Thus dogs pant and can only sweat via their paws. It is therefore paramount to observe some tips in keeping your dog safe in the hot weather we are experiencing these days.

1. Never leave your dog alone in a hot car! It’s common sense but people tends to forget
2. If it’s too hot for you, then it’s too hot for your dog. Stay indoors if the weather is unbearable, esp for brachycephalic dogs
3. Always allow your dog to have access to fresh water. Bring a water bottle during your walks
4. Protect your dog’s paws during walks. If the pavement is too hot, avoid walking on them. Walk in the shade or on grass
5. Dogs can get sun burnt too, so be careful about the shave
6. Protect your dogs from parasites, esp ticks. Climate change has an impact on the population of parasites that can threaten your dog.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

03/07/2023

-- Hi Dr Tay, I think my cat is constipated. Is there something that I can do?

-- Many cats are notorious for not drinking much water. This makes them prone to constipation. Constipation is never normal. It can lead to a lot of suffering and a poor quality of life, so it should be taken seriously. Constipation is not a pleasant experience for any cat, with the cat meowing and straining regularly. Repeated episodes of constipation can cause irreversible enlargement of the colon “mega-colon”, and that would need intervention with an e***a or in serious cases, a surgical option. Constipation may also upset the metabolism and cause other conditions.

The common causes of constipation in cats are dehydration, stress, dirty litter boxes, painful defaecation resulting in unwillingness to pass motion, or a disease. Feeding your cat canned food is an easy way to increase water intake. If drastic, then you may need to syringe the water directly into its mouth to force the drinking. For litter boxes, make sure you have several if you have many cats. Ensure the litter boxes are cleaned regularly as cats are fussy. Sometimes the type of litter matters. Having more exercise and playtime helps in both gut motion as well as keeping the cat relaxed and happy.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

05/06/2023

-- Dear Dr Tay, my dog has been coughing, sneezing and getting runny nose. Is she having a cold?

-- The short answer is yes, she is probably suffering from a “cold” or upper respiratory tract infection. However the types of viruses for dogs are different from humans, so there is little likelihood of spread from dogs to humans. Other than the cough, sneeze and runny nose, dogs may also feel lethargic and have decreased appetite. The eyes can also be affected.

A regular straight-forward infection can be managed and treated. However there can be more serious types of respiratory related infections, which are therefore covered by vaccines, eg canine distemper and kennel cough.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

02/05/2023

-- Dear Dr Tay, I noticed my dog keeps licking his butt and rubbing it on the floor. What seems to be the problem?

-- This is probably having problems with his a**l sacs. A**l sacs are two small pouches at 4 and 8 o’clock positions on either side of the a**s. They produce a very odorous liquid which is used to mark territory and also frighten away predators. Small amounts are released every time the animal defecates. However, there are times when the a**l sacs can be “full” or impacted. This is very uncomfortable so the dog will do “scooting”, which is rubbing his rear on the ground, as well as excessive licking.

For a simple impaction, evacuation of the a**l sacs will do which is done by squeezing out the stuck gunk inside. In serious cases, this may progress to an infection called a**l furunculosis. This will cause a stinky mess with open rear ends. In early stages, they are treatable but in more advanced stages, a surgery is required to remove the infected tissues. This can be tricky as the a**l sphincter which is a ring of muscle around the a**s controlling defaecation, is very important for lifestyle.

So check for the signs early and approach a vet for clearing the a**l sacs when the need arises.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

23/04/2023

Up close with the birdies at Bird Paradise Mandai!

23/04/2023

Preview of the new Bird Paradise at Mandai. World class design and facilities with eco features. Definitely worth the visit together with the Wildlife Reserves.

04/04/2023

-Blood in p**p: Dear Dr Tay, when my cat got stressed, I see bright red blood in the p**p. What seems to be the problem?

If there is bright red blood in the p**p, it indicates that there is bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract and most often associated with the large intestines closest to the a**s. Sometimes, a jelly mucoid stuff may be discharged, which is an indication of inflammation in the large intestines. The most common cause is usually an infection, whether bacteria or parasites. As in your case, these are sometimes stress induced too. But for stressed animals, there may be accompanying excessive stomach juices causing irritation and vomiting. In severe cases, stomach ulcers can form and could become deadly if they perforate.
In managing bowel issues, your cat can be placed on a bland, easily digestible diet that is minimally irritating to the stomach and intestines, including hypoallergenic prescription diets which I can prescribe. There are also medication to protect the stomach and intestines. To reduce stressors to cats, any contacts with strangers can be gradual and without force as cats are usually a bit more wary. Provide a safe place for your cat to hide.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

--宠物喂养护理Tips：大便中出血
郑医生分享宠物那些事

--常见问题：当我的猫感受压力时，我看到大便中鲜红色的血。似乎是什么问题？

--郑医生解答：
如果宠物粪便中有鲜红色的血，则表明胃肠道有出血，最常见的是最靠近肛门的大肠有关。有时，“果冻般粘液状物质”（jelly mucus)可能会被排出，这表明大肠发炎。最常见的原因通常是感染，无论是细菌还是寄生虫。与您观察的情况一样，这些产生的后遗症有时也是压力引起的。但是对于压力较大的动物，可能会伴有过量的胃液，引起刺激和呕吐。在严重的情况下，胃溃疡会形成并且如果穿孔会致命。
在处理肠道问题时，可以喂食平淡、易消化的饮食，这种饮食对胃和肠的刺激性最小，我通常会建议，给宠物进行低过敏性处方饮食，辅助一些保护胃和肠的药物。为了减轻对猫儿接触陌生人时的压力，与陌生人的任何接触都可以逐渐进行，而无需积极推出，因为猫通常会更加警惕。提供一个安全的地方让您的猫躲起来也是一个很好的选择。

-来自Vet on the Go 郑春义医生的分享。（微信号：DrTayCN）

29/03/2023

Morning Ubin ferry service readying for the day’s work.

02/03/2023

-- Dr Tay, can I feed probiotics to my pet?

-- If you have eaten yogurt, then you know probiotics. These are friendly gut bacteria, which the pet has billions of them to make the “gut microbiome” good for immune boosting, making vitamins and minerals and general health regulation. Your pet can get sick and getting gut upset from a disruption to the microbiome, so probiotics have an effect on maintaining the microbiome well.

The typical good bacteria are Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Enterococcus faecium, Bifidobacterium breve, Bifidobacterium lactis. Probiotics are sensitive to temperature, air, and moisture as they are live culture. This means the way food is made, how probiotics are added, and the type of food can all change the quality of the food and probiotics.

There are various ways of delivery with probiotics included in food, in treats or as pills/powder. Just observe the recommendations of the manufacturer to ensure that the probiotics is delivered safely.

-- brought to you by Dr Tay CN, Vet on the Go
drtaycn-vet.com; facebook.com/vetonthegosgp

Monday	09:00 - 21:00
Wednesday	09:00 - 21:00
Thursday	09:00 - 21:00
Friday	09:00 - 21:00
Saturday	09:00 - 21:00
Sunday	09:00 - 21:00

Vet On the Go - housecall service

07/09/2024

10/06/2024

09/02/2024

07/02/2024

19/12/2023

06/11/2023

08/10/2023

06/09/2023

09/08/2023

01/08/2023

03/07/2023

05/06/2023

02/05/2023

23/04/2023

23/04/2023

04/04/2023

29/03/2023

02/03/2023

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Business

Videos

Shortcuts

Share