SINGAPORE — Karen Chan and her husband spent roughly $100,000 on medical expenses for their 10 adopted dogs.Two other dog owners interviewed Yahoo Southeast Asia He also shared an episode about how he spent $10,000 a month just on medical expenses for the dog he adopted.
As the cost of living in Singapore increases and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set to rise again in 2024, the resources needed for pets are also increasing. But what drives dog owners to take such care of their pets?
A 65-year-old retiree spent more than $100,000 on medical expenses for 10 adopted dogs.
Chan, a retiree, currently cares for five dogs, ranging in age from 7 to 15. This has been a tough year for him and one of his main struggles has been finances.
Her oldest dog needs monthly doctor visits due to possible bladder cancer. The 65-year-old man said a single surgery to remove bladder deposits costs about $4,000.
“Taking your dog to the vet is different than us paying $40 or $50 to go to the general hospital. Every time you leave the vet, it costs at least $200 to $300. The moment someone gets sick, it costs money,” Chan said. .
Symptoms of illness in older dogs can be vague at first, so testing to make a diagnosis can be expensive. Chan said another dog she previously cared for had to undergo $5,000 diagnostic tests and $500 blood tests in addition to annual vaccinations.
Her other dog, Lucky, has degenerative myelopathy. He is currently unable to defecate or urinate on his own and has lost mobility in his back legs. So when we go for an hour walk in the afternoon, Lucky is put in the wagon.
Despite losing weight and causing physical pain from caring for the dog, Chan remains motivated and passionate.
“I’ve had a dog for many years, so I can’t bear to let it go. I think it’s my duty to see my dog through to the end. Even if I didn’t have the money, I would still go.”I love surgery, so I decided to go for surgery. Let’s move on,” she said.
She dreads that day because Lucky remains mentally sound. Chan said her previous dogs had reached a stage where the pain was unbearable or they were unconscious, so it was easier to put them down.
She previously cared for a dog with dementia who slept during the day, woke up at night, and walked aimlessly for hours. They will also get stuck in a corner and scream, making it impossible for them to feed in the second half.
She said dog-owner interaction is an important part of owning a dog, but can be lost over time due to a lack of responsiveness from caring for a dog with dementia.
“There comes a stage…when you try so hard to show affection and interact with the dog, the dog just doesn’t respond,” Chan said.
When considering the option of euthanizing a dog, Chan says, consider whether all levels of pain management have been achieved and whether it is a better option than leaving the dog in pain. Stated. Other things she considers include whether the dog is still mentally conscious and whether it can feed itself.
“The process of letting go of a dog is even more painful than if the dog had passed away,” she said.
Chan developed a love for dogs at the age of seven when he happened upon a stray dog with a puppy. She took her cat litter home and gave it a bath, then she quietly kicked it out of her house and she has been passionate about dogs ever since.
But Chan also cautioned that “there aren’t going to be moments where you’re like, ‘Why the hell am I doing this?'” Just because I love dogs. ”
Chan previously ran an enrichment center with her husband, which helped cover the dog’s medical expenses. Now that she’s retired and more careful with her spending, she said her latest dog will be the last dog she takes care of.
“I’m at the point where I’m really tired and tired. I need time for myself.”
She rescued a ‘terminally ill’ dog who was skinny and had no fur.
Irene To, 50, met Timmy for the first time on her way home one day. The dog was thin and had no fur.
After posting on social media, she found the family with the help of netizens and offered to take the dog to the vet. The family refused after her second visit, and Toh reported the owner to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).
As she waited for two months, she continued to worry about his safety. Her previous owner said she was terminally ill and could not survive.
Mr. To was finally able to adopt Timmy from his previous owner. She then took Timmy to the vet, and for nine months after her discharge, she began fostering him and eventually adopted him.
By the time Timmy was with her, his fur had grown back, but other medical problems could develop.
Timmy later developed kidney failure and heart failure, and was admitted to the accident and emergency department, resulting in approximately $10,000 in medical bills. Her bill included X-rays and an ultrasound, and the amount exceeded the financial support from the animal welfare group, To said.
In addition to that incident, Timmy had recurring health problems, including ear infections, requiring frequent veterinary visits.
“It can be very frustrating when your symptoms keep coming back and you don’t know what’s wrong. Is it your diet or your environment?” she said.
But Ms Toh said the whole experience of rescuing Timmy ignited a deep passion and compassion within her.
“For most dogs, there are always ways to restore health and help them live a comfortable life,” she says.
I spent $10,000 a month on an elderly adopted dog who suddenly became incapacitated.
Ms Tan Sei Ho, 70, decided to foster her Singapore Special caddy, who suffers from behavioral and anxiety disorders, after seeing a Facebook post asking for help in May last year. The 14-year-old dog was known to chew on furniture.
“For me, urgent cases are a top priority, especially the elderly, the sick, the disabled, the unwanted and abandoned. If I can help, I want to help,” she said. Told.
Due to a smooth development process, Tan ended up taking over Caddy. She thought Caddy was eating and peeing on his own, all signs that he was disciplined and comfortable in his new home.
Although they had to make some changes, such as rearranging furniture that could have caused anxiety, To felt an underlying trust between the two. However, on Valentine’s Day in 2023, Cady suddenly became unable to stand, walk, eat, sleep, and had trouble breathing.
Tan took it to four or five veterans and spent almost $10,000 in one month. However, it was not possible to determine the reason for the sudden deterioration of her health.
With no answers, she became frightened, adding that the past month had felt like “torture.” She thought Caddy was going to die soon.
Mr Tan said: “Sometimes even money can’t save a life. You can spend money, but the dog remains mentally or physically disabled. Who can help? There are no Medisave, CPF or CHAS cards,” he said.
Fortunately, Caddy survived the ordeal.
Despite the high cost, Tan said he was willing to pay for it because he considers his caddies family. “I treat Caddy like her mother,” she said.
“I think Caddy helped me, not the other way around. She helped me recognize my abilities when I felt like I couldn’t,” Tan added.
Speaking about how more public awareness can be raised about caring for older dogs with medical issues, Tan said: “We need people to start the ball rolling. Small efforts can make the world a better place. ” he said.
Do you have any story tips? Email: sgnews.tips@yahooinc.com.
You can also follow Facebook, Instagram, tick tock and twitter.Also check out Southeast Asia, foodand game YouTube channel.