Warning: Venomous Spider in Singapore

As a precaution, please copy this whole article and reblog/email it. Meanwhile, I will wait for my reply from other establishments (NGO, Goverment Ministries and Hospitals). I want to know if there has been any further reports of incidents concerning this Spider.


I received an e-mail recently. The e-mail says that this venomous spider is commonly found in Brazil and some how made it's way to Singapore. Nobody knows how, but it's common for insects and other creatures to travel cross continents via freight (trains, airplanes, ship).

I hope this is a hoax, but the email came with a logo of Changi General Hospital:

On 1st May 2008, Channel 8 made the first report of this poisonous spider in Singapore.

If it's in Singapore it could easily travel to Malaysia and then to Thailand.

Please note that this spider could be around the house etc...

If you're gonna kill it, smack it with a shoe or newspaper, not with bare hands.

An English man was bitten by it, but he freed it because he didn't know that the spider was venomous.

The Pictures below shows the effects of the venom:









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UPDATE From: National Enviroment Agency of Singapore

Recieved: 18 July 2009, 3am (few hours after this post went up)

Their reply, I copied and paste here:

Ref: MK97189621

Dear Ms Joanne Lee

Thank you for your email dated 17 July 2009.

2 Firstlywe wish to clarify that the information in the email was not
released by NEA.

3 The insect in the picture submitted looks like a rove beetle. However
we are not able to name the species based on the picture alone as we lack
the taxonomy key to do it.

4 According to the web sites information that we have gatheredmajority
of this species of rove beetle live in rice fields.

5 So farwe have not received any information of it being found in
Singapore. We are also unable to confirm that the cause of the skin
condition as shown in the picture submitted is due to contact with this
beetle.

Please call me or email contact_nea@nea.gov.sg if we can be of further
assistance.


Sincerely

Mohd KhalilKal (Mr)
Customer Service Officer
Tel: 1800-CALL NEA [1800-2255 632]
National Environment Agency

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UPDATE From: Changi General Hospital Singapore

Recieved: 21 July 2009, 5:30pm

Their reply, I copied and paste here:

Dear Joanne Lee,

Thank you for accessing our website.
The CGH logo was used without our permission and the hospital did not contribute in any way to the contents in this email. Please do not circulate this email.

Thank you.

We wish you the best of health.

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I'm still waiting for replies from the hospitals, other wildlife departments, zoos, wildlife societies, university faculties of Malaysia and Singapore... and Channel 8

A Puppy-Factory Dog's Story

A PUPPY MILL PUPPY'S STORY

I don't remember much of the place where I was born. It was cramped and dark, and we were never played with by the Humans. I remember Mom and her soft fur, but she was often sick, and very thin. She had hardly any milk for me and my brothers and sisters. I remember many of them dying, and I missed them so.

I remember the day I was taken from Mom. I was so sad and scared, my milk teeth had only just come in, and I really should have been with Mom still, but she was so sick, and the Humans kept saying that they wanted their money and were sick of the "mess" that me and my sister made.

So we were crated up and taken to a strange place. Just the two of us. We huddled together and were scared, still no Human hands came to pet or love us. So many sights and sounds and smells! We are in a store where there are many different animals! Some that squawk! Some that meow! Some that peep! My sister and I are jammed into a small cage. I hear other puppies here. I see Humans look at me through the glass. I like the "little humans", the kids. They look so sweet, and fun, like they would play with me! All day we stay in the small cage, sometimes mean people will hit the glass and frighten us, every once in a while we are taken out to be held or shown to humans. Some are gentle, some hurt us, we always hear "Aw they are so cute! I want one!" but we never get to go with any of them.

My sister died last night, when the store was dark. I lay my head on her soft fur and felt the life leave her small thin body. I had heard them say she was sick, and that I should be sold at a "discount price" so that I would quickly leave the store. I think my soft whine was the only one that mourned for her as her body was taken out of the cage in the morning and dumped.

Today, a family came and bought me! Oh happy day! They are a nice family, they really, really wanted me! They had bought a dish and food and the little girl held me so tenderly in her arms. I love her so much! The mom and dad say what a sweet and good puppy I am! I am named Angel. I love to lick my new Humans! The family takes such good care of me, they are loving and tender and sweet. They gently teach me right and wrong, give me good food, and lots of love! I want only to please these wonderful people! I love the little girl and I enjoy running and playing with her.

Today I went to the veterinarian. It was a strange place and I was frightened. I got some shots, but my best friend the little girl held me softly and said it would be okay. So I relaxed. The vet must have said sad words to my beloved family, because they looked awfully sad. I heard Severe Hip Dysplasia, and something about my heart... I heard the vet say something about back yard breeders and my parents not being tested. I know not what any of that means, just that it hurts me to see my family so sad. But they still love me, and I still love them very much!

I am six months old now. Where most other puppies are robust and rowdy, it hurts me terribly just to move. The pain never lets up. It hurts to run and play with my beloved little girl, and I find it hard to breathe. I keep trying my best to be the strong pup I know I am supposed to be, but it is so hard. It breaks my heart to see the little girl so sad, and to hear the Mom and Dad talk about it might now be "the time." Several times I have went to that veterinarians place, and the news is never good. Always talk about Congenital Problems. I just want to feel the warm sunshine and run, and play and nuzzle with my family.

Last night was the worst. Pain has been my constant companion now, it hurts even to get up and get a drink. I try to get up but can only whine in pain. I am taken in the car one last time. Everyone is so sad, and I don't know why. Have I been bad? I try to be good and loving-what have I done wrong? Oh if only this pain would be gone! If only I could soothe the tears of the little girl. I reach out my muzzle to lick her hand, but can only whine in pain.

The veterinarian’s table is so cold. I am so frightened. The Humans all hug and love me.They cry into my soft fur. I can feel their love and sadness. I manage to lick softly their hands. Even the vet doesn't seem so scary today. He is gentle and I sense some kind of relief for my pain. The little girl holds me softly and I thank her, for giving me all her love. I feel a soft pinch in my foreleg. The pain is beginning to lift, I am beginning to feel a peace descend upon me. I can now softly lick her hand.

My vision is becoming dreamlike now, and I see my Mother and my brothers and sisters, in a far off green place. They tell me there is no pain there, only peace and happiness. I tell the family goodbye in the only way I know how-a soft wag of my tail and a nuzzle of my nose. I had hoped to spend many, many moons with them, but it was not meant to be. "You see," said the veterinarian, "Pet shop puppies do not come from ethical breeders." The pain ends now, and I know it will be many years until I see my beloved family again. If only things could have been different.

(This story may be published or reprinted in the hopes that it will stop unethical breeders and those who breed only for money and not for the betterment of the breed)

Copyright 1999 J. Ellis

Hop Hop Hop, Hoppety Hop

Image by rabbit_mage via Flickr

Rabbits have long been kept as pets in Malaysia, but recently, Malaysians are beginning to discover, learn and appreciate the breeds, characters and maintenance requirements of these pet rabbits ... myself included... so lets learn and discover together...

Have you heard of these breeds before?

• Angora,
  
• Lion sumthin',
  
• Netherland Dwarf,
  
• Harlequin,
  
• sumthin' Lop

Did you know that the common white rabbit with red ruby eyes, that we so often see, is actually a recognized breed called the Britannia Petite? Did you know that this breed is known to have a bad/wild temperament and is not suitable for families with small children? In Britain, it's known as Polish Rabbit... The Americans renamed it later.

I've had 3 of these when I was a kid... and they all bit me! Now I know why... The rabbits weren't crazy, that's just the way they are.. and nobody knew! ... WOW! What a revelation...! *gotta pause and wow for a while...*

Did you know that there's even an organization for pure breed rabbits? It's called the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). Below, is a text from ARBA's website:

"The ARBA is an organization dedicated to the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy. With over 24,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad, our members range from the pet owner with one rabbit or cavy to the breeder or commercial raiser with several hundred animals. Each aspect of the rabbit and cavy industry whether it be fancy (for exhibition), as a pet, or for commercial value, is encouraged by our organization."

As I continue discovering rabbits, check out some of the links below:

Here's a guide on How To Choose A Healthy Rabbit: CLICK HERE

Be warned, that rabbits found in pet shops are not necessarily pure breeds. They could be mixed... Find a responsible breeder if you want to buy a pure breed.


Breed type picture & description guide: http://www.jphpk.gov.my/English/rabbits.htm

Direct Link to ARBA's breed list: http://www.arba.net/Breeds.htm

Malaysia's very own breeder: http://www.behyorabbitry.com

We are not related or connected to the above Beh & Yo... We're just so proud Malaysia has it's own pet rabbit breeder!

Commercial Dog Food Analysis

Image via Wikipedia

Wow! You would be shocked to discover these really interesting reviews on commercial dog food brands (wet food & kibbles)

This will be very helpful information if your dog has:

• Skin problems
• Joint problems
• Recurring ear infections
• Eye infections
  
• Cancers/tumors
• Fur discoloration
• Fur breakage
• etc etc etc

This site is called Dog Food Analysis. Below, is a snippet from the site's Homepage:

"The purpose of DFA remains that of providing an assessment of the various commercial foods available, based on the product information provided by the manufacturers."

Think that you're giving your dog the best just because the food is expensive? Well think again...

Lets start with a brand that everybody knows... ... ... Alpo! Rating: 1 Star
Why? Read the editor's review:

~~"This food receives a 1 star rating simply because there is nothing lower.

The primary ingredient in the food is corn (it should be meat!). Corn is a problematic grain that is difficult for dogs to digest and thought to be the cause of a great many allergy and yeast infection problems. We prefer not to see this used in dog food.

The next ingredient is by-products. It is impossible to ascertain the quality of by-products and these are usually products that are of such low quality as to be rejected for use in the human food chain, or else are those parts that have so little value that they cannot be used elsewhere in either the human or pet food industries. The AAFCO definition of chicken by-product meal is “a meal consisting of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered chicken, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice.” Digest is material from poultry by-products which results from chemical and/or enzymatic hydrolysis of clean and undecomposed tissue.

The next ingredient if further by-products, this time poultry (unidentifiable source). The AAFCO definition of poultry by-product meal is “a meal consisting of the ground, rendered, clean parts of the carcass of slaughtered poultry, such as necks, feet, undeveloped eggs and intestines, exclusive of feathers, except in such amounts as might occur unavoidable in good processing practice.”

Animal fat is a further low quality ingredient and is impossible to determine the source. Unidentified ingredients are usually very low quality. AAFCO define this as "obtained from the tissues of mammals and/or poultry in the commercial processes of rendering or extracting. It consists predominantly of glyceride esters of fatty acids and contains no additions of free fatty acids. If an antioxidant is used, the common name or names must be indicated, followed by the words "used as a preservative".

This food uses chemical preservatives (BHA) which is believed to be carcinogenic, and is banned from use in human food.

Lamb meal is the sole named meat ingredient in the food. At 5th on the ingredient list, this is insufficient to make any appreciable impact on the food.

Brewers rice is a waste product – a spent grain that is a by-product of the alcohol industry. The AAFCO definition is “the dried extracted residue of rice resulting from the manufacture of wort (liquid portion of malted grain) or beer and may contain pulverized dried spent hops in an amount not to exceed 3 percent.”

Soybean meal is a poor quality source of protein in dog food, and a common cause of allergy problems. Some believe that it is the number 1 cause of food allergies in dogs (outstripping even wheat).

Corn appears a second time as corn gluten meal. The AAFCO definition of corn gluten meal is “the dried residue from corn after the removal of the larger part of the starch and germ, and the separation of the bran by the process employed in the wet milling manufacture of corn starch or syrup, or by enzymatic treatment of the endosperm”. In plain English, that which remains after all the nutritious bits have been removed."~~

Now, most of us have bought and are familiar with Alpo's quality... Let's see what other brands got the same 1 Star rating...

Bil Jac ... ... ... Eagle Pack ... ... ... Eukanuba
Science Diet ... Hills Prescription ... Iams
Pedigree ... ... .. Pro Plan ... ... ... .. Purina One
Royal Canin ... ... .. Supercoat


OK... Shocking? So now we know some popular brands with the 1 Star rating...


Here are those with the 6 Star rating:

Innova EVO ... Instinct ... Orijen




... And for the rest in between ...

5 Stars:

... ... ...


4 Stars

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...


3 Stars:

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...


2 Stars:

... ... ... ...
... ... ...



Important to note:

1. Each Brand has different categories for their product. Different line, with different ingredients. That's why you will see the same brand, but different products being rated differently. For example, Royal Canin is rated in 1 Star, 2 Stars and 3 Stars. Check your dog food and find it on Dog Food Analysis website for it's correct rating.


2. Just because a product is given a 1 Star rating, doesn't mean you should switch product. I did this article so that you can be well informed, and make a choice that would best suit your dog & your wallet. If your dog is healthy and strong with a product that has been rated 1 Star, and you see no need to change, then carry on with that diet. If however, your dog is having some issues (i.e. skin / ear problems), then you might want to consider changing to a higher grade product.


3. Products listed here are just some that I think would interest the readers (you). There are many more products rated, in detail, on Dog Food Analysis website.Please go through them and find the exact product you're interested in


4. The rating system was done and taken from Dog Food Analysis: www.dogfoodanalysis.com