Pet care can go up to thousands of ringgit

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PETALING JAYA: Treatment for dogs and cats can go up to thousands of ringgit, especially for serious cases, pet shelters and owners reveal.

However, they also said these prices are to be expected, and most vets charge reasonable prices.

Furry Friends Farm president Myza Nordin said a quarter of the shelter’s operational cost goes to veterinary care.

Specialist procedures are particularly expensive, she said especially for heart, brain and bone diseases.

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The more expensive treatments are surgery for twisted stomach, which is between RM500 and RM1,000 and for snake bites which cost a few thousands.

Fortunately, the shelter has a panel vet which provides them subsidised rates, but she has been to other vets which could cost three to four times more.

“Some vets also charge arbitrary consultation fees, and even for taking medication without any treatment, they charge consultation fees,” she said.

However, for normal procedures, such as tick fever treatment, vaccinations and neuter, prices are reasonable.

Homeless Paws of Manjung coordinator Joanne Low said the shelter has recently paid RM10,000 for spaying and treatment for May and June for about 12 dogs.

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“Every month we usually spend RM6,000 to RM7,000 on vet procedures for about 25 dogs, with the bulk of it for spaying,” she said.

However, this is dependent on the season, sometimes there are fewer or more sick dogs, she said.

She acknowledges that veterinary prices are increasing every year, however, it is expected with the country’s increasing cost.

“Some regulation of the veterinary fees would be helpful to control prices of vets,” she said.

Although government vets are cheaper, Low said she only brings her pets to private vets.

“The government vets in Manjung do not spay or neuter dogs, and they only do certain procedures,” she said.

Selangor SPCA chairman Christine Chin said for regular check-ups vet care can cost four to five times more than humans.

“Vet charges are expensive, and many people underestimate the cost of having pets.

“Some who can’t afford or choose not to pay for that healthcare would abandon their pets. More awareness about the responsibility of having pets is needed,” she said.

M. Devika, 57, said from 2010 until 2021, she had five cats and incurred more than RM100,000 in vet fees and special diet. This includes treatment for several rescued cats.

“I no longer have pets and have stopped rescuing. It is just too expensive. I hope the government will intervene to regulate vet fees and look into the cost involved in procedures carried out at vet hospitals and clinics,” she said.

Even for a general check-up, she would take at least RM500 with her.

The treatments for her cats included teeth scaling, ultrasound, blood and urine tests as well as spaying and vaccinations.