Singapore – Following a botched eye surgery and wrong prescription for their pet dog, a couple is appealing to authorities to review Singapore’s pet healthcare system.
“We are writing to appeal to the authorities to review the framework and governance of pet healthcare in Singapore to ensure an acceptable level of care is adhered to by our veterinarian clinics,” wrote Dr Donna Chow and Mr Shaun Koh, who recently had to put their pet dog Ah Bee to rest.
The couple highlighted in a blog post that their pet schnauzer was already in ill health, his days numbered; yet the circumstances leading to Ah Bee’s departure has saddled them with “immeasurable guilt and regret.”
Ah Bee was previously treated for poor vision, undergoing elective cataract surgery at Mount Pleasant in May 2021.
However, the couple underestimated that animal medicine is far less advanced, with a lower success rate than cataract surgery for humans.
“It turns out that the surgeon who operated on Ah Bee is not a veterinary eye specialist by training,” added Dr Chow.
Following the failed surgery, Ah Bee experienced eye infections and developed glaucoma in his right eye. The infection then required antibiotics and more intensive treatments.
Ah Bee’s condition deteriorated, and he developed chronic kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, leading to three hospitalisations, said the pet owner.
When Dr Chow visited Ah Bee at Mount Pleasant in December last year, she was surprised that his ears were discharging pus, among other conditions.
“The vet told me they were busy treating his other conditions and didn’t check his eyes, ears and mouth,” said the alarmed Dr Chow. “As a medical doctor, I felt that this was totally an unacceptable explanation,” she noted.
Ah Bee’s admission led to an eye and ear infection, and he was discharged with more medications.
However, the heart failure medication was meant for another dog, Romeo. The couple only discovered the mix up a day after Ah Bee was euthanised.
“The side effects of this medication include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhoea, and this corresponds to the symptoms he was exhibiting in his final days,” said Dr Chow, also suspecting the dosage was for a larger-sized dog.
Dr Chow mentioned that the veterinary staff handed her the wrong bill on one occasion, causing her to pay S$600 for another dog’s treatment.
The couple started a petition through change.org, addressing their open letter to the Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS). They urged for a review of veterinary care guidelines and standards.
To date, the petition has over 10,000 signatures.
According to The Straits Times, AVS is currently investigating the incident./TISG
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