On a sweltering March afternoon, as Hyderabad’s streets lie still under the oppressive heat, one narrow lane in Hari Vihar Colony, Bhawani Nagar, hums with quiet urgency. Scooters weave through, autorickshaws sputter to a stop and cars inch forward, as people step out with crates, leashes and baskets, each carrying a life in need of care. Their destination: the Government Super Speciality Veterinary Hospital in Narayanguda, a sanctuary in a city where pet healthcare is often an expensive privilege.
Beyond its rusting gate and weathered facade, the hospital pulses with activity. A bright new display board at the entrance, bearing the hospital’s name along with a private sponsor’s logo, suggests recent efforts to refresh its image. Dogs whimper, cats peer warily from their carriers, rabbits twitch their noses and a few goats shuffle on leashes.
In the crowded waiting area, 28-year-old Abdul Bashir from Falaknuma clutches a picnic basket, his last surviving cat nestled inside. “Until a year ago, I had three,” he says.
“One died soon after I got it. Another fell sick, and despite multiple treatments at a private clinic, I couldn’t save her. Now, this is the only one left. I bring her here regularly, even though it is far from my home. It has been six months, and I trust this place.”
For pet parents like Bashir, the government-run facility is more than a hospital; it is a lifeline in a city where private veterinary clinics charge exorbitantly. This centre offers consultations for just ₹50, with most treatments and services provided free of cost.
The long queue stretching outside under the relentless sun is proof of its value and the role it plays in Hyderabad’s pet care landscape.
Harshavardhan, 33, has travelled from Begumpet to the hospital, his Golden Retriever trotting beside him for a routine check-up. Gently guiding the dog into the back of his car after the visit, he reflects on the experience: “I have been to both private clinics and government centres, and I would choose the latter any day. The doctors here aren’t working for money; they genuinely care about the pets. The only reason people like me sometimes opt for private clinics is because many of them offer 24×7 services. That is something government hospitals still lack.”
Just across the road from the hospital is a private pharmacy buzzing with pet parents making a stop before heading home. Among them is Kavita, her fluffy Chow Chow dog standing obediently by her side. “Some medicines are available in the hospital and are given after the doctor’s consultation. But for the ones they don’t have, we have to come here to buy them,” she explains.
Private vs public: the cost divide
For many, this extra stop is but a small inconvenience compared to the steep costs of private veterinary care. A basic consultation at a private clinic range between ₹500 and ₹1,500, while government hospitals charge just ₹50 to ₹100. Diagnostic procedures such as X-rays and blood tests can set pet parents back by ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 at private centres, but at government facilities, they cost as little as ₹200 to ₹500.
The salary for a Veterinary Assistant Surgeon (local cadre, Class A) at a government facility ranges from ₹54,220 to ₹1,33,630. In contrast, private veterinarians charge around ₹1,000 per home visit, while teleconsultations start at ₹199 and go up to ₹499. The same pricing applies to in-person consultations as well.
But financial concerns aren’t the only challenge. Hyderabad’s climate brings its own set of worries. Sunaina, 22, says her British Bulldog, still behind on vaccinations, was particularly vulnerable during the monsoon. She had to potty-train him indoors, making sure he never stepped into puddles, and if he did, clean his paws thoroughly. “I also check for ticks every two to three days,” she adds.
Winters, however, were the hardest. Bulldogs, with their short snouts, are prone to respiratory issues, and the cold made breathing even more difficult for Sunaina’s pet. To ease his discomfort, she relied on a nebuliser and bundled him in sweaters to keep him warm.
Like many pet parents, Sunaina has realised that quality care often comes with a hefty price tag. While she was satisfied with her dog’s treatment, she acknowledges that only a handful of hospitals in Hyderabad offer specialised procedures.
The financial strain of pet care is something many pet parents grapple with, given the high consultation fees and inflated treatment costs at private clinics. “With more people having pets, there is an urgent need for more veterinary facilities across the city to meet the growing demand,” she says.
When it came to choosing a veterinary hospital, Sunaina admits she has never visited a government facility. Her experience with private clinics had been positive. Although expensive, she feels the quality of care justifies the cost. “From a pet parent’s perspective, it seems pricey, but from a service provider’s viewpoint, the charges make sense,” she reasons. Still, she hopes prices would eventually become more affordable as and when more veterinary hospitals open.
Beyond affordability
But the challenges of pet healthcare in Hyderabad run deeper than just cost. A veterinary healthcare expert, requesting anonymity, points to systemic issues that extend beyond affordability. The industry, he explains, suffers from weak regulation and compliance, especially compared to human healthcare.
“Unlike human medicines, where procurement is streamlined and strictly regulated, veterinary drugs often enter the market through unclear distribution channels. Many international brands supply medicines without proper sourcing transparency, and some of these products may not even officially enter India through standard regulatory pathways,” he says.
The pricing structure at private veterinary clinics also raises concerns. “For example, a simple fluid therapy session shouldn’t cost more than ₹100 for administration, with fluids available for ₹30 to ₹40 at any medical shop. The butterfly catheter and fixation materials add another ₹50 at the most. Yet, private clinics charge ₹500 or more just for administration. Pet parents, caught in the urgency of treatment, have little choice but to accept these inflated costs,” he explains.
A woman with her dog at Dog Park, Gachibowli in Hyderabad.
| Photo Credit:
File Photo
Beyond procedures, medication pricing is another murky area. Veterinary pharmacies often stock medicines at 50-60% below their printed MRP, but pet parents are charged the full amount. “A box of amoxicillin injections, marked at ₹160-₹200, is typically procured by clinics for ₹80-₹100. But with no auditing or oversight, pricing remains unchecked,” he adds.
The disparity in veterinary expertise is another issue. While qualified veterinary doctors (BVSc and MVSc) undergo rigorous training comparable to MBBS graduates, the industry is also crowded with diploma holders and underqualified practitioners. “There are only a handful of truly respected veterinarians while the rest operate largely as businesses,” he says.
Financial pressures further shape how these private hospitals function. Clinics in upscale areas pay rents as high as ₹2-3 lakh per month, making profitability the driving factor. “Many rely on two or three compounders, running the clinic like a business that must break even within a year,” he points out.
Another concern is the cost of diagnostics. With Hyderabad having limited veterinary diagnostic centres, many pet clinics turn to human diagnostic facilities for advanced tests like CT scans and MRIs. “A human MRI might cost ₹3,000-₹4,000, but for an animal, the same is billed at ₹30,000-₹50,000. The referring clinic often takes a cut, making veterinary bills even more inflated,” the expert notes.
Fixing the system
Looking ahead, he expresses apprehensions over the introduction of pet insurance in India. “With a lack of regulation in veterinary healthcare, how will pet insurance be monitored? When there are no audits, no standardised pricing, and no implementation of best practices, insurance could easily become another avenue for unchecked costs rather than a relief for pet parents,” he warns.
However, government veterinary services in Telangana present a structured, multi-tiered system aimed at making care accessible. A senior official from the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department details its framework: “We have four levels of veterinary hospitals across the State. At the district level, we have District Veterinary Hospitals, one in each of the erstwhile eight districts. In Hyderabad, there is a super specialty veterinary hospital in Narayanguda. Then we have around 98 Area Veterinary Hospitals and over 910 Primary Veterinary Centres at the mandal level, each staffed with qualified doctors and equipped for treatment. At the village level, we run 1,101 Sub-Centre Animal Health facilities, which provide first aid.”
Beyond these, the State government funds approximately 100 mobile veterinary clinics, modelled after the ‘108’ ambulance service for humans. Operated under the ‘1962’ helpline, each unit consists of a veterinarian, para-veterinary staff and a driver, ensuring treatment reaches even the most remote areas.
While government hospitals provide crucial services at affordable rates, their focus on livestock and limited hours leave gaps in pet healthcare, particularly in urban areas. Private clinics step in to fill this void, but at a cost that remains prohibitive for many pet parents.
“Our department is primarily rural-oriented, working for cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats. While we do offer pet care services at district-level hospitals, our core mandate is livestock health. That being said, the veterinary hospitals in Hyderabad provide excellent services, and many pet parents do avail of them,” the official says.
He acknowledges that the growth of private veterinary clinics has surged in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, as pet ownership increased. “Like in human healthcare, pet parents now expect detailed diagnostics such as blood tests, X-rays and scans, which private clinics provide. Government hospitals rely on clinical symptoms for treatment, and our doctors have extensive hands-on experience. Many private veterinarians are those who didn’t secure government jobs and have now set up their own chains of clinics under the same brand in different parts of the city. They hire technicians to run operations and cater to pet parents beyond regular working hours. While government hospitals operate during the day, private clinics remain open at night, making them a convenient choice for emergencies,” the official explains.
While private clinics do address the shortfall, it comes at a price that remains out of reach for many. To overcome this divide, experts suggest widening the reach of government veterinary services, initiating standard pricing controls and enhancing regulation of private clinics.
Published – March 14, 2025 08:37 on is
