When Care Can’t Wait.
Learn about the emergency and hospitalization processes that we’ve implemented to ensure the best of care for your pet.
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What to Expect
We know that any visit to the veterinarian, especially to an Urgent Care Clinic or E.R., can be nerve-wracking. We want you to know that CVETS strives to provide the best possible care and treatment for your pet. We will take care of them as if they are one of our own. We thank you for trusting us with the care of your pet and we want you to be confident that they are well taken care of.
Below you will find a list of illnesses and conditions that we frequently see at each hospital to help you find out whether your pet needs to see our Urgent Care Clinic in West Columbia or our E.R. in Northeast Columbia. If you have questions, you can always call us at 803-995-8913 and one of our client service representatives can help you determine which location your pet should be seen at.
Urgent Care
West Columbia, SC
2989 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29169
Open 12 PM – 10 PM, Every Day.
Emergency & Specialty
Northeast Columbia, SC
1321 Oakcrest Dr., Columbia, SC 29223
Open 24/7/365
Typically Seen at Urgent Care
- Diarrhea or vomiting
- Overgrown and/or torn nails
- Cuts, abrasions, or bites
- Behavioral changes
- Changes in appetite
- Ear Infections
- Worms, fleas, ticks, or mites
- Changes in urination/defecation
- Pain or limping
- Sneezing, runny nose, or coughing
Typically Seen at E.R. & Specialty
- Respiratory or cardiac arrest
- Unresponsiveness
- Active seizures
- Trouble breathing
- Major trauma
- Allergic reactions
- Bloat (GDV)
- Significant blood loss
- Straining to urinate
- Poison ingestion
- Heatstroke
- Difficulty giving birth
Learn More about our Locations
WEST COLUMBIA
Urgent Care Veterinarians
Open from 12PM – 10PM, Every Day.
The CVETS Urgent Care Clinic provides medical care for non-life-threatening events. Our Urgent Care Clinic is located at our brand new second location in West Columbia. You can rest easy knowing that we’ll be here when care can’t wait.
HOURS
- 12PM – 10PM, Every Day.
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Features of our Urgent Care
- Skilled urgent care and emergency team
- Stress-free and feline-friendly tactics
- Seamless communication with your primary veterinarian
- Initial medical assessment
- State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging tools available
- Compassionate management of euthanasia and final care
NORTHEAST COLUMBIA
Emergency and Critical Care Veterinarians
Open 24/7/365
As pet owners ourselves, we understand that when your pets are ill, in pain, or experiencing physical distress, it can be very stressful and scary. At CVETS, we want you to know that your pet’s medical needs are our top priority. This is why we use a triage system that allows us to determine the order in which our patients are seen.
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The Triage Process
Modeled after human hospitals, we use a triage system to determine the order that our patients are seen. Upon arrival, your pet will be quickly assessed to determine if they require immediate emergency assistance. If your pet requires immediate emergency assistance, or is experiencing a life-threatening incident, our Client Service Representatives (CSRs) will call a Triage Nurse to immediately have your pet examined by a doctor.
The CSR will go over our emergency care authorization form that will either give us consent to provide immediate treatment, administer medications, perform life-saving measures (if necessary), or withhold any treatment until you speak with a doctor.
Level 1 - Priority
Immediate medical attention is needed. Patients are treated immediately and ahead of all Level 2 and 3 patients due to potentially life-threatening conditions. Wait time estimated: Up to 1-2 hours until admission to the hospital.
Conditions may include: Respiratory or cardiac arrest, unresponsiveness, active seizures, trouble breathing, major trauma, bloat (GDV), significant blood loss, straining to urinate, poison ingestion, heatstroke, difficulty giving birth, humane euthanasia
Level 2 - Urgent
Patients are seen after Level 1 patients, and before Level 3 patients. Wait time estimated: Up to 3-4 hours (until admission to the hospital. Discharge and time to completion of treatment will be longer).
Conditions may include: Moderate trauma or injury, pain or discomfort, and vomiting.
Level 3 - Stable
Patients are seen after Priority Level 1 and 2 patients. Wait time can vary significantly but may be up to 3-5+ hours. We work to keep you updated and do allow for drop off once a patient has been assessed by the doctor.
Conditions may include: Minor injury, skin conditions, ear infections, broken toenails, and intestinal parasites
Features of our E.R.
- 24/7/365 pet emergency care availability and client support
- Skilled emergency trained staff
- Stress Free & Feline Friendly Techniques
- Emergency surgical intervention for special cases
- Advanced pain control with continuous infusions, local, and regional anesthesia
- Emergency management of various diseases
- Oxygen therapy for critical patients
- Blood transfusion therapy
- Continuous ECG monitoring, invasive and non-invasive cardiac monitoring
- Advanced vascular access including central venous and arterial catheterization
- Compassionate management of euthanasia and final care
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need urgent care or emergency care?
We know that sometimes it can be a bit confusing to decide what type of care our pet needs. The CVETS urgent care in West Columbia is designed to handle incidents/injuries that your pet may experience that are not life-threatening.
If your pet is in critical condition and/or experiencing a life-threatening event, it should be seen at our emergency and specialty hospital located in Northeast Columbia.
If my pet is hospitalized overnight, can I bring them blankets, toys, etc?
We have plenty of blankets and bedding for patients. We ask that all belongings including toys, blankets, clothing, leashes, and collars stay with you until your pet is discharged due to sanitary and allergen risks. CVETS is not responsible for lost or damaged items accidentally left in our care.
My pet has a special diet and/or medicine. Do I give that to the CVETS staff if my pet is hospitalized overnight?
If your pet is on a special diet or has dietary restrictions, please let our staff know immediately. If we do not have the diet that your pet needs, we will ask for you to bring in enough food for their hospitalized stay. The only exception is for “raw” diets, which we cannot accept due to environmental risks.
When will I get a status update about my pet?
The doctor will contact you with daily updates as soon as they are able (typically after 10:00 am). We understand that it may be stressful waiting for an update. Rest assured, if there is ever a change in status, or an emergency situation occurs, we will contact you immediately.
You are always welcome to call and check on your pet at any time. There may be times when our nurses are administering treatments and unable to come to the phone. If this is the case, we will still provide a brief update on your pet.
Can I visit my pet while they're in the hospital?
All visitations must be scheduled in order to provide an exam room for your visit and adjust your pet’s treatment schedule accordingly. Visiting and interacting with your pet can be beneficial for their recovery. However, there are times when visiting isn’t recommended if exciting the pet would do more harm than good for the pet’s recovery process.
Our team will advise you on what is best for your pet medically. We can also schedule a brief video chat with you, your pet, and a member of our team.
Do you accept pet insurance?
If you have pet insurance, your pet’s total balance must be paid in full at the time of checkout. After that, you can submit a claim to your pet insurance provider for reimbursement. We can help you with your claim form if you need assistance or medical documentation.
When will the CVETS team give me a financial update?
Upon admission, you will sign an estimate for your pet’s medical treatment plan and leave a deposit.
Depending on the extent of the treatment and diagnostics needed for your pet, you will receive a financial update if we begin approaching the high-end cost of the treatment plan and/or if your pet needs to be transferred to a different department within our hospital. At this time, we will go over what the current charges are along with the additional expected charges within a set time frame. Additional deposits may be required to update your account for the additional medical treatment plans.
In critical cases, an estimate for a treatment plan can change according to the pet’s status. We will always make every effort to keep you informed.
What are the payment options at CVETS?
We accept all major credit cards, CareCredit, ScratchPay, and cash. We are not able to accept checks at this time. We are not able to offer any payment assistance; however, we can provide you with a list of resources for financial assistance, should you need it.
If you know someone who would like to make a donation, we can provide you with an online link for donations.
Hours & Locations
Urgent Care - West Columbia
2989 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia, SC 29196
Open from Noon – 10PM every day.
Emergency, Critical Care, and Specialty - Columbia
1321 Oakcrest Drive, Columbia, SC 29223
Open 24/7/365
