Emergency Vets in Charleston, SC
Are you looking for an emergency veterinarian in Charleston South Carolina? Emergencies can happen at all times of the day.
Our pets can get sick or hurt to the point that our regular veterinarian cannot care for them. In some cases you will need to find an emergency vet or animal hospital near you.
If you do not know of an ER Vet near you, your local veterinarian can help guide you. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, then time is of the essence.
You need to get them seen as quickly as possible. For that reason we have listed contact details, including directions to your closest emergency vet or animal hospital.
Charleston Veterinary Referral Center
Number: 843-614-8387
Address: 5838, 3484 Shelby Ray Ct, Charleston, SC 29414
Website: charlestonvrc.com
Description: Welcome to Charleston Veterinary Referral Center. We are the most advanced and comprehensive specialty and emergency referral practice in the Southeastern U.S., having attained Level I Certification from the prestigious Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS), and making it one of a select few Level I Certified Veterinary Hospitals in the nation.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday – Sunday: Open 24 Hours
VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital
Number: 843-571-4291
Address: 850 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407
Website: vcahospitals.com
Description: VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in Charleston, SC. The professional and courteous staff at VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital seeks to provide the best possible medical, surgical and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. VCA Charles Towne Animal Hospital strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to Charleston, SC and surrounding areas.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
All Creatures Veterinary Clinic
Number: 843-579-0030
Address: 224 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
Website: allcreatureschs.com
Description: We are a full service veterinary facility treating all types of pets – from dogs and cats to reptiles and rodents. Our services include wellness care, dental care, surgical procedures, digital radiography, in house diagnostics, acupuncture, and holistic treatments.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday – Friday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
- Sunday: Closed
Should You Go To An Emergency Veterinarian In Charleston South Carolina?
If you do not know if your pet is injured or sick enough to see an emergency vet, you can always give your regular veterinary a quick call. They are best equipped to give you advice on where you need to go.
Some local vet practices have on-call staff for emergency care, while other vet clinics might refer you to another animal hospital in the area.
Keep in mind that emergency vets or animal hospitals might be located in a nearby city. Not all locations have emergency care readily available. For that reason be prepared to drive a distance to get the help your pet might need.
If your pet is experiencing an emergency, time is of the essence. If your local veterinarian is not open, then your best option is to find the closest Emergency Vet Clinic or Animal Hospital near Charleston.
In all cases, you will want to give that clinic a call to let them know the situation of your pet and why you are bringing them in. They can help triage your pet over the phone to determine how urgent your pet needs to be seen.
Some emergency vets will still have a wait, kind of like a walk-in urgent care clinic. They will always take the most urgent or sickest pets first so be prepared to possibly wait when you arrive.
Here are some common signs of a pet emergency:
- Difficulty breathing
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe injury, broken bone, broken knee
- Severe diarrhea
- Limping or indication of pain, which could mean broken bones
- Trauma, hit by vehicle
- Inability to urinate, could be a sign of a blockage which is an emergency
- Severe seizures
- Severe vomiting
Keep in mind that our pets sometimes hide their pain until it’s unbearable for them. They could have been injured days ago by something you know nothing about.
If your pet is experiencing any of the symptoms above then its best to contact an emergency vet in Charleston SC right away.
What To Expect At A Charleston Emergency Animal Hospital
When you arrive at the emergency vet clinic in Charleston, a specialist will conduct a full physical examination of your pet. This may include their breathing rate, heart rate, temperature as well as bloodwork, and a physical exam if they are injured.
Additionally they will evaluate your pet’s gum color, mental state, their ability to walk (if uninjured), skin, abdomen and possibly a chest evaluation.
If your pet is injured then expect X-rays to be done as well as further evaluations of possible broken bones, cracked ribs and signs of pain or bleeding.
If your pet comes to an emergency vet because they are sick or maybe ate something they should not have, then expect bloodwork and urine and fecal samples to be taken.
Your veterinarian will need to know details of what happened, what they ate, when they ate it so that they can properly care for your pet. The more details you can provide the faster your emergency vet can provide the care your pet needs.
What Does An Emergency Vet Visit In Charleston Cost?
The cost of an emergency vet in Charleston will depend on the type of treatment your pet needs. For example, an overnight stay at an animal hospital can really run up your bill.
The average treatment on minor emergency care can be between $1,000 – $3,000 per visit. If you have a dog that blew out its knee, the cost of surgery alone can run as high as $5,000.
A blocked cat can be between $3,000 – $7,000 for surgery and after care.
The cost of your vet visit will depend on the reason for your visit and the length of that visit. If you have a dog for example that was hit by a car, your emergency veterinarian will most likely have them stay a few days and nights to be monitored. The constant care to save their life is what causes the price to increase.
For more severe problems, additional specialist may be needed or called in from other emergency vets near Charleston.
Diagnostics, x-rays, IV fluids, medications and monitoring equipment, all add to the cost of caring for your pet while they are at an animal hospital.
Some pet insurance will cover the cost of an emergency vet visit, but for those without pet insurance there are other payment options available.
You will want to speak to your vet about what options you have, because most will require full payment before you are able to leave.
If you cannot qualify for a payment option, then your only other option is to pay up front. For that reason many pet owners put money aside for “in-case-of-emergency” situations and they save what they can, kind of like a regular health savings account.