DogExpress
India is becoming quite popular among other nations as a cheap destination for medical treatments. Recently, NRIs like Mr. Sanjeev Jangwal, who is settled in Paris, especially came to India for a ‘cruciate ligament surgery’ of his 3-year-old dog Eva (Gull Terrier). His dog had a limp on her leg and was suffering from extreme pain. She wasn’t able to walk properly.
Eva is currently being treated by the veterinary surgery department of state-owned Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU) from Ludhiana.
Medical treatment cost is high in Paris
Eva was in great pain and the vets estimated cost of surgery at around €4,500 (around Rs. 3.2 lakh). As it was too costly in Paris, they came to India and got the surgery done in Ludhiana at just Rs. 800 on 31 Jan, 2017. The total cost of medicine, tests and surgery cost just around Rs. 8000, i.e, £92!
Eva is recovering well and back on her legs now.
Here’s what Mr. Sanjeev had to say:
“Even if I include cost of Eva’s airplane ticket, I have spent less than Rs. 1 lakh on her treatment and she is doing great now. The surgery only was costing me Rs. 3.5 lakh in Paris so I headed back home for it. I ordered thread from London as GADVASU doctors said its results would be better.”
Mr. Sanjeev is not the only one to come back to India for medical treatment and surgery of their pets. The new trend, according to vets, is giving rise to vet medical tourism in India – which is a ‘growing field’.
“It was an extremely painful condition that Eva was in. It is not a rare surgery but a specialized one in which knee joint is opened and in Western countries if condition worsens, vets even suggest going for euthanasia. Surgery being too costly there, many opt for euthanasia but with growing vet medical tourism, NRIs are landing in India to get their pets treated,” says Dr Arun Anand, associate professor, veterinary surgery, GADVASU.
“A hole was drilled and thread installed to stabilize the knee joint. Eva is back to playing and eating,” he added.
Cost effectiveness is a major factor
Harmeet Grewal, another NRI from Canada, is getting her Pomeranian treated at Vets For Pets in Ludhiana.
She said, “Cost effectiveness is a major factor. Treatment, medicines and even food for pets, everything is just too expensive abroad. My dog Murphy had severe stomach infection and eczema on legs.”
Another NRI, Mr. Vipan Puri said,
“Treatment for pets in India is way cheaper with almost same facilities available abroad but in some cases ticket is too costly. My dog Mocha is undergoing treatment for a brain-related problem resulting in fits, but is doing fine now,”
“Maybe NRIs are saving their money but it is a win-win situation for India as vet tourism holds major potential,” says Dr Jaspreet Singh from Vets For Pets.
What do you think about this going trend and increase in vet medical tourism? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Source: The Indian Express
in Chandigarh, India. 
