Forum: Strengthen infrastructure for pet healthcare
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I have observed that while Singapore has a sufficient number of general veterinary clinics, there are very few clinics providing advanced surgical treatments for pets. Procedures for serious conditions – such as coronary heart disease and mitral valve disease, which is common in many dog breeds – do not seem to be available locally or are often offered by visiting foreign surgeons.
Specialist pet hospitals are commonplace in countries like Japan and China, but surprisingly not in Singapore. Moreover, there is no local veterinary degree programme, which means most practitioners are trained overseas.
Pet healthcare is a growing global industry, and Singapore should not lag behind.
We need to develop local expertise by offering veterinary degrees, expand treatment options and make pet insurance more inclusive –particularly for older dogs, which are often excluded despite their greater need for care.
With better infrastructure and support, more pets could receive life-extending care rather than face premature euthanasia due to a lack of local options.
Sunil Kumar Sharma
