A dog is a lifetime commitment. In addition to providing it with food, shelter, and love, you will also need to ensure that you care for its health across all life stages.
This article covers how much you need to set aside for your vet visits, even if your pet is healthy. This means everything from preventive measures and regular vaccinations to end-of-life palliative care.
There are a few factors that will affect how much your vet visit will cost, namely:
– The day and time of your visit
– The procedures required upon consultation
– Whether it is an emergency or non-emergency consultation
– Your chosen mode of transport
Vet Prices in Singapore For Non-Emergency Treatments
Here’s an overview of the most common non-emergency vet services in Singapore. Take note that these figures are only indicative – some of the more popular vet clinics may charge a premium.
| Service | Estimated Fee |
| Vet Consultation | $25 to $60 (fees are more expensive for weekends/public holidays, after-hours consultations, and longer consultations) |
| House Calls | $200 to $400
(on top of regular consultation fees) |
| Core Vaccinations | $35 to $55 |
| Blood Profile | $190 to $235 |
| Kidney/Liver Biochemistry Panel | $45 to $50 |
| Sterilisation (inclusive of blood tests, IV fluids, general anaesthesia, and post-op medications; assuming no complications) | – $350 to $550 depending on size and sex of the dog – Female sterilisation (spay) is more expensive than male sterilisation (neuter), and the larger the dog, the more expensive |
| Dental Scaling (inclusive of general anaesthesia but excluding blood tests and IV fluids) | $290 to $350 |
| Teeth Extractions | $10 to $80 per tooth |
| X-Rays | From $130 |
| Bone Fractures | $2,000 to $4,000 |
| Gastrointestinal Surgeries | $1,800 to $2,500 |
| Hernia Repair | $900 to $2,500 |
| Tumour Removal | $100 to $600 |
| Eye Surgeries | $500 to $800 |
| Ear Surgeries | $500 per ear |
| Euthanasia | From $220 |
Vets will usually caveat that their quoted prices are barring any complications; especially for procedures that require surgery or general anaesthesia, charges may vary depending on whether any unforeseen circumstances arise that require additional treatment.
It is normal for clinics to request a deposit, usually 50% of the estimated charges. The rest of your vet bill is to be paid in full upon discharge.
Other than consultation and treatment costs, transport costs should also be taken into consideration. Unless you own a car, you can expect to pay $20 to $40 for a one-way trip between your home and the vet.
Read Also: [Price Comparison] GrabPet Vs Private Pet Transportation Providers
How Often Do You Need To Bring Your Dog To The Vet?
Dogs need regular check-ups to stay healthy, especially as they get older; with regular vet visits, health issues can be detected early and nipped in the bud or managed before they develop into more serious conditions.
How often you should bring your dog to the vet depends on which life stage it is in. This should be taken into consideration when you’re thinking about the lifetime cost of owning a dog.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Own And Keep A Dog In Singapore?
Puppyhood: Up To 1 Year Old
All puppies need to complete their core vaccinations by 16 weeks old, usually in a series of three doses at 6, 12, and 16 weeks.
The next major milestone would be sterilisation, usually recommended to be undergone when your puppy is between 6 to 9 months old – before or just after they reach sexual maturity.
This accounts to at least 4 vet visits within the first year of dog ownership alone.
| Estimated Vet Costs In Year 1 | |
| Consultations | $35 x 4 = $140 |
| Vaccinations | $45 x 3 = $135 |
| Sterilisation | $450 |
| Total | $725 |
Adolescence & Adulthood: 1 To 7 Years Old
Annual head-to-tail check-ups are recommended throughout adulthood. Vets will commonly conduct physical examinations, blood tests, and administer core vaccination boosters during these check-ups.
More vet visits may be required if your dog is prone to developmental issues; examples include breathing issues in pugs and French bulldogs, joint issues in corgis, heart issues in dachshunds, and other similar breed-related risks.
Also recommended is to have your dog undergo regular teeth scaling to pre-empt any cavities. There is no fixed schedule for teeth scaling – you could have the procedure done once every 6 months, a year, or every other year, depending on how severe your dog’s dental issues are and how regularly you brush its teeth at home.
Plan for a visit at least once a year for 6 years, with 3 teeth scaling sessions. That’s at least 9 vet visits throughout adulthood.
| Estimated Vet Costs In Years 2-7 | |
| Consultations | $35 x 6 = $210 |
| Vaccinations | $45 x 6 = $270 |
| Dental Scaling | $350 x 3 = $1,050 |
| Blood Profile | $200 x 12 = $2,400 |
| Total | $3,930 |
Seniors: 7 Years Old And Above
Twice-yearly check-ups should be the minimum for older pets. This life stage is when more issues are likely to develop, and more frequent check-ups can help with early detection.
More tests may be prescribed – in addition to the basic blood tests, prepare for possible urinalyses, fecal tests, hormone tests, X-rays (for bone and joint health), and kidney and liver screenings.
During the month of October 2019, Monster Pet Vet is offering special discounts off services for geriatric pets, including blood tests and arthritis injections!
Considering that the average life expectancy of dogs is 10 to 13 years (this will vary depending on many factors including breed and lifestyle), that means at least another 6 to 12 regular vet visits, and 3 dental scaling sessions.
Assuming a best-case scenario with no health complications and a lifespan of 13 years, here are the estimated vet costs for your dog’s geriatric years.
| Estimated Vet Costs In Years 8-13 | |
| Consultations | $35 x 12 = $420 |
| Vaccinations | $45 x 6 = $270 |
| Dental Scaling | $350 x 3 = $1,050 |
| Blood Profile | $200 x 12 = $2,400 |
| Kidney/Liver Biochemistry Panel | $45 x 12 = $540 |
| Total | $4,680 |
In total, you should expect to bring your dog to the vet at least 28 times during its lifespan, and spend at least $9,335 in routine consultations, vaccinations, and basic physiological tests.
Cost Of Non-Routine Or Emergency Situations
Should your dog fall ill, the vet will prescribe medication as they deem appropriate. The prices for these will vary, so it is difficult to provide a meaningful cost estimate. However, consultation fees will always apply, as will any surcharges for house calls and after-hours consultations.
If yours is an emergency situation, always call the clinic to inform them of the nature of the emergency so that they can better prepare for your dog’s arrival.
Here are what constitute emergencies:
– Trauma-related injuries (road traffic accidents, falls from a severe height, etc.)
– Toxin exposure (chocolate, lilies for cats, rat bait, etc.)
– Severe vomiting, diarrhoea, or loss of appetite, with or without fever
– Trouble urinating
– Seizures
– Severe bleeding
– Collapse or loss of motor functions
– Trouble breathing
– Swollen abdomen (bloat or gastric dilation, etc)
– Sudden loss of vision
– Venomous snake or insect bites
– Difficulty in giving birth
Vets have surcharges of $100-$350 for after-hours and emergency consultations, depending on how late the hour and whether or not it’s a weekend/public holiday – and this is in addition to normal consultation fees.
So if yours is not an emergency situation, it may be advisable to wait till morning to bring your dog to the vet.
Finding A 24-Hour Vet Near You
In the event that your dog falls ill or needs medical attention outside the usual vet hours, here are the 24-hour and emergency vets and pet hospitals in Singapore.
| Region (Nearest MRT / Neighbourhood) |
Name | Address | Contact |
| East (Tanah Merah) | Advanced VetCare | 18 Jalan Pari Burong, Picardy Gardens, Singapore 488684 (Shophouses along Upper Changi Road) |
Tel: (65) 6636 1788 |
| North (Upper Thomson) | Mount Pleasant Vet Centre (Gelenggang) | 2 Jalan Gelenggang, Singapore 578187 |
Tel: (65) 6251 7666
|
| Northeast (Kovan) | Stars Veterinary Clinic | 211 Hougang Street 21, #01-301, Singapore 530211 |
Tel: (65) 6280 9880 |
| Central (Bartley) | Veterinary Emergency and Specialty (VES) Hospital | 2-14 Rochdale Road, Singapore 535815 | Tel: (65) 6581 7028 |
| Central (Balestier) | Companion Animal Surgery | 12 Boon Teck Road, Singapore 329586 |
Tel: (65) 6255 7950 |
| West (Beauty World) | Westside Emergency Vet | 41 Eng Kong Terrace, Singapore 599013 |
Tel: (65) 6463 7228 |
How Much Can Pet Insurance Cover For Vet Visits?
Unlike us, our dogs don’t have the benefit of MediSave or MediShield to help shoulder medical fees. Pet insurance is one way for pet owners to offset veterinary expenses associated with pet ownership.
Read Also: How Does Pet Insurance Policies Work In Singapore?
These are some of the common coverage areas related to vet expenses:
Accidental Injury: Coverage for vet expenses arising due to injuries caused by accidents.
Medical Benefits (Illness) – Veterinary Expenses: Coverage for both non-surgical and surgical vet expenses arising due to an illness.
Medical Benefits (Illness) – Other Coverages: Coverage for other expenses incurred due to illness, such as chemotherapy, room and boarding, and post-surgical follow-ups.
How much you can claim will depend on the extent of coverage you opt for. Generally, pet insurance policies come with a co-payment percentage and claim limits, meaning only a portion of your vet bills will be covered by the policy.
Different pet insurance policies also have different claimable incidents – Vanillapup has done up a comprehensive comparison table that showcases the differences in coverage across all 4 providers. They also list important factors to consider when choosing the right provider for you (hint: it’s not just about the premiums).
| Liberty Insurance PetCare | AON Happy Tails | AIA Paw Safe | CIMB My Paw Pal | |
| Annual premium | $350 – $750 | $200 and above (exact quotation upon enquiry) | $79.56 | $74.90 |
| Main focus | All-rounded: Covers even non-surgical, non-accident-related procedures due to illness | Medical: High coverage for surgical treatments due to illness and accidental injuries, including post-op care | Accident: Coverage for vet fees due to accidental injuries | Accident: Coverage of up to $3,000 annually for vet fees due to accidental injuries |
| Important to note | No coverage for non-surgical treatments | No coverage for non-accident-related fees | No coverage for non-accident-related fees |
Read Also: Guide To Buying Pet Insurance In Singapore
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