toilet training, house training puppies

Community education supported by www.toapayohvets.com

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Location: Singapore

A veterinary surgeon at www.toapayohvets.com and founder of a licensed housing agency for expatriate rentals and sales at www.asiahomes.com

Saturday, September 09, 2006

391. Skin diseases can be costly to treat

E-MAIL QUERY, Sat 9, 2006
--- <...@yahoo.com.sg> wrote:

> Hi,
>
> I came across your website from the SVA's link. I
> have a male dog given to me. He's a wired-haired fox
> terrier and about 3 years old. He's nv been
> micro-chipped or sterilized. I'm not sure if he's
> been vaccinated or registered. Are all these
> mandatory legally? How much would it cost to get
> microchipped, sterilized and vaccinated? I saw on
> your website about the 8/9 in one vaccination. Does
> it apply to my dog whos already 3 years old? how
> often must he be vaccinated?
>
> he's also got sensitive skin and ear infection.
> i've brought him to a vet before and the bill came
> up to close to $300! They only did some tests and
> gave medicated wash and a packet of medicine. but i
> still dont know why my dog's been scratching himself
> and at times theres odour. anyway it's so expensive
> i couldnt send him there anymore. hence i'm looking
> for a more affordable vet where i can send my dog
> for such visits. how much it cost for him to be
> examined at your clinic?
>
> Appreciate your help. Thanks.
>
> Regards,
> .....

E-MAIL REPLY, Sat Sep 9, 2006 7.36 am

Microchipping, vaccination and sterilisation (male
dog, fox terrier) are not mandatory legally as at Sep 9, 2006.
For imported dogs, microchipping is mandatory.

Respective costs are estimated to be $30, $35
(8-in-one) or $40 (9-in-one vaccination) and $150.
Details are at www.toapayohvets.com, goto "FEES".

Vaccination of 9 in one means 9 diseases, 8 in one
means 8 diseases are protected respectively. Annual
vaccination is advised as viral diseases like
distemper and parvoviruses are still present.

Many skin diseases that have persisted for a long time
can be expensive to treat and need more than one
review by the vet and hands-on treatment by the owner,
rather than by the domestic worker.

Depending on the causes, not all skin diseases can be
cured at one visit or can be cured at all. There are
many reasons for failure of cure. It is not practical
to list them here. Do not expect instant cure after
one veterinary visit if the causes of the skin
diseases are multiple and the skin problems have
existed for several weeks or months.

We can't diagnose your condition or estimate the costs
by e-mail.

In your dog, continual scratching and bad skin odour
means that you do need to seek veterinary advices. You
can always ask for a estimate of costs before
treatment from us.

Thursday, September 07, 2006

390. The relief teacher and 2 Malteses

Toilet Training Your First Puppy in Singapore

"I was paid $8.00 per day as a primary 2 school relief teacher in 1968," I recalled my fun days teaching a class for 8 months before I left for Glasgow University to study veterinary medicine. "How much are relief teachers paid nowadays?"

The homemaker in her late thirties, with 3 young children and 2 malteses opened her mouth in disbelief. "Around $60.00 as I don't have the paper qualifications from the Teacher Training's Institute. The school phones me whenever they need a relief teacher a few days. I guess the Principal likes my teaching."

The Singapore Prime Minister last week announced an attractive pay plus better work conditions and innovative recruitment scheme to attract more teacher recruits. She would qualify for those "mid-career executives". She had left her Secretarial job working for a very good Japanese boss who loved overseas postings to look after the 3 young children some years ago but now she would be able to work full-time. She would be one of those with passion for teaching.

"Are primary school children motivated to get good marks in their studies by stars and stickers?" I asked her.

"Yes, but for primary 1 and 2 children. They get the stickers when they have top marks. The older children could not be bothered."

"How do teachers motivate the older children?"

"I teach for a few days. These older children may switch off their attention. The full-time teachers award small prizes for top marks."

Rewards vary for different stages of mental developments.

How does this relief teacher motivate the two female 10-week-old Malteses to eliminate on the correct toilet areas?

"Very difficult," she said. "I separate them into 2 crates with pee pans below. But the puppies refused to get into the crate as they know they might not get freedom.

"So, I used a playpen each to confine them. Inside the playpen, I put a pee pan with newspapers.

"But the puppies will avoid the soiled newspapers in the pee pan. They eliminate outside and step all over the stools. They shred the newspapers. As the newspapers are in the balcony, the slight breeze would flutter the papers. This motion excited the puppies to shred the papers."

"Yesterday, I have purchased two pee pans with grilled top. I put the pee pans at one corner and the puppy cushion bed, water bowl and feed bowl at the other corner. I feed twice a day, leaving the feed in the bowl for 20 - 30 minutes. The puppies go to the pee pan with grilled top. This is the first day."

"What should I do if the puppies had accidents peeing outside the designated areas? Should I scold them?"

"No," I said. "They will not know why they are scolded and will be frightened of you. Just clean up quietly. Unless they are caught misbehaving, scolding will not be effective for puppies."

She promised to give me feedback at the 3rd vaccination.