\n<\/p>\n
The Singapore Veterinary Association (SVA) said that the formation of the Veterinary Council is welcomed, as it signals a major step forward in professional recognition, public trust and sector standards.<\/p>\n
But it also warned the complaint framework could lead to vets ordering more tests and procedures before treatment to cover all bases.<\/p>\n
Dr Teo Boon Han, the association\u2019s president, said that beyond additional diagnostics, higher compliance and legal costs could also weigh on clinics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe business costs will go up because people will want to be covered by lawyers \u2013 maybe have lawyers on retainer,\u201d said the veterinarian and pet nutritionist.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou’ll want to practice defensive medicine if regulations are too harsh. Whereas previously, I would only do one or two tests, now to cover all my bases, I might want to do 10 tests before I do a surgery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr Teo believes this could push up the price of routine procedures for pet owners.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we have to be very cautious. We don\u2019t want the industry to end up being very defensive,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Dr Teo, who sits on the Veterinary Council, said efforts are underway to ensure that this does not happen.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany engagements have been, and will continue to be carried out with the industry to ensure practicality, balance, and minimise impact to cost,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
The concern comes amid already rising vet bills, which have become a growing issue for some pet owners.<\/p>\n
Ms Kerrine Chan, for instance, now compares fees across clinics and prioritises preventive care for her pet dog, Mochii.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs much as we can, we try to do prevention now with the vet and then to avoid future, maybe expensive medical bills,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Ms Chan has become far more cost-conscious after facing hefty vet bills. She was quoted about S$12,000 (US$9,400) on cancer treatment for her previous dog Ruby, and had to forego the treatment. \u00a0<\/p>\n
As lymphoma can often relapse, she said one big factor is not knowing if she was going to have to spend a similar amount again in the future. Ruby died six months later.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see it every day, where we are not able to perform a certain standard of care due to cost,\u201d said Dr Teo.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt’s actually one of the unique stressors, where we\u2019re in a profession where we can help, we have been trained to help them, dedicate our lives to help, but we cannot help because of the financial constraints.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said many tend to falsely compare animal healthcare with the human healthcare sector, which has the support of robust government subsidies and private insurance plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cInsurance is picking up a little bit (for pets), but really, everything else is absent. Most vet clinics are SMEs (small\u2011 and medium\u2011sized enterprises), bearing the burden of what people see as a public good,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n