Some S’pore vets see up to 15% increase in respiratory or eye-related cases during haze

SINGAPORE – Several vets in Singapore have been attending to more pets with respiratory or eye-related illnesses in recent weeks amid the haze season.

While direct causation has not been established, most vets who spoke to The Straits Times estimate a 10% to 15% increase in visits, adding that poor air quality and airborne pollutants such as PM2.5 can aggravate existing health conditions, especially for more vulnerable animals.

Kenneth Tong, founder of Animal and Avian Veterinary Clinic (AAVC), said his clinic has seen an increase in respiratory illnesses and eye issues such as conjunctivitis and weepy or itchy eyes in recent weeks. 

“For example, in a week, we usually just see three cases of eye issues, but now all of a sudden we are seeing five,” he said. 

Common symptoms of haze-related illnesses reported for pets include eye, skin and breathing problems. For pets with existing conditions such as chronic bronchitis, asthma or tracheal collapse, some cases may even require emergency treatment. 

Anne-Claire Duchaussoy, from Beecroft Animal Specialist and Emergency Hospital, said respiratory problems are more common in small-breed dogs, particularly in pomeranians, Yorkshire terriers and poodles. Toy breeds may also be genetically predisposed to conditions such as tracheal collapse.

Poor air quality could aggravate these existing conditions, she added, though not all respiratory cases can be directly attributed to the haze.

The co-founder, who specialises in internal medicine, said treatments for such respiratory issues depend on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying medical condition.

In one such severe case, Duchaussoy had to perform a minimally invasive procedure called a bronchial stent placement on a pomeranian named Fluffy.

A specially designed stent was inserted into the dog’s airway to keep it open, allowing air to flow more freely into its lungs.

Oasis Vet’s Sandhya Nair said cats are also prone to airway problems. As they groom themselves, cats may swallow particles that settle on their fur.

As an International Society of Feline Medicine Cat-Friendly Clinic, Oasis Vet sees many feline and eye cases, and she said the haze has made both more common.

According to Nair, haze can bring on asthma-like symptoms in cats, such as coughing and wheezing, even in cats with no history of asthma. Cats with existing asthma can experience flare-ups.

“Last week, we saw a middle-aged cat whose asthma is normally well-controlled with an inhaler,” she said. “During the haze, it flared up badly, and the cat needed oral steroids to get it back under control.”

But cats and dogs are not the only animals vulnerable to unhealthy air.

According to Teo Boon Han, senior veterinarian and pet nutritionist at Canopy Veterinary Centre, birds deserve particular attention during the haze because their highly efficient respiratory systems take in a lot of air. This makes them more sensitive to airborne pollutants.

“Owners of birds should be especially vigilant about maintaining good indoor air quality during haze episodes,” he said.

Tong said the AAVC has also seen cases of very small birds such as canaries dying suddenly despite “looking perfectly okay”.

While he acknowledged that there could be other underlying factors, the increased occurrence from once a year to three times in one week, for instance, led the clinic to attribute it to the haze as a precaution.

How can you care for your pets during the haze season?

In a statement on Oct 19, How Choon Beng, group director of wildlife management at the National Parks Board, advised pet owners to check air quality readings before taking their pets outdoors and to pay attention to the environment at home.

His statement came a day after the 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index hit a season high of 230.

In mid-October, vets in Malaysia similarly reported an increase in respiratory problems among pets amid the haze.

Veterinarian clinic director Muhammad Naim Md Kasim told Malaysia’s The Star newspaper that respiratory cases among cats had increased by an estimated 10% to 15% across several of his clinics since mid-September.

“When air quality deteriorates, pet owners should keep pets indoors as much as possible,” said Canopy Veterinary Centre’s Teo. “Avoid prolonged outdoor walks, running and strenuous play, particularly when air quality is unhealthy.”

Pet owners should also watch for warning signs such as persistent coughing, unusual lethargy, eye irritation or changes in breathing, he added.

They should seek urgent veterinary attention if they notice open-mouth breathing in cats, pronounced abdominal effort when breathing, or blue or pale gums.

Teo also advised pet owners to keep windows closed during periods of poor outdoor air quality and consider using air purifiers with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.

VetMobile founder Angeline Yang observed that many pet owners have made adjustments to their schedules when air quality is poor to minimise risks.

For instance, they would choose to walk their dogs less or not at all to reduce cases of itchy skin or eye discomfort.

Pet owners can also opt for simple indoor enrichment activities instead, said Yang, who provides at-home veterinary services.

“In Singapore, some of these cases are seasonal,” she said. “They can happen throughout the year whenever the air quality is poorer or when the weather is dry or dusty.”