Dog Sitting in a Grass Field with Tongue Out

Emergency

Overview

Our emergency team is trained and highly experienced to handle all of your pet’s emergency conditions. Our focus is to stabilize, diagnose, and treat a variety of emergency problems. We work with your primary care veterinarian to provide continuity of care. Our emergency team closely collaborates with our critical care department and several other specialists to ensure your pet gets the best possible care. Our hospital is open 24/7/365 including holidays. You do not need a referral from your veterinarian. If you are concerned about your pet, we are here to help!

Our focus is on stabilizing and treating sick and injured patients 24/7/365. We manage patients with any condition. We aim to return your pet to good health, whatever the scenario.

Problems or signs that signal your pet is having an emergency:

Discoloration of the gums (pale gums, blue/purple gums)
Lack of responsiveness, unable to rouse
Coughing, difficulty breathing
Vomiting, diarrhea, or inappetence
Foreign body ingestion
Choking, gagging, or non-productive retching
Broken bones, limping, or pain
Open wounds
Snake bite

Heat stroke
Smoke inhalation
Toxin exposure
Allergic reactions: hives, swelling
Seizures
Paralysis of the back legs (both cats or dogs)
Trauma- hit by car, bite wounds, gunshot injuries, falls, burns
Excessive bleeding
Difficulty urinating or defecating

Prolapsed organs
Sudden passing out, collapse, dizziness, or difficulty getting up
Difficulty walking
Difficulty giving birth
Vulvar discharge
Irregular heart rhythms
Distended abdomen
Abnormal recovery from recent anesthesia or surgery
Declining quality of life

If there is ever a time where you have to make the difficult decision to say goodbye to your pet, our emergency team is able to provide humane euthanasia services to allow your pet a dignified and peaceful passing.

Small dog with dog harness sitting in a car

What should I do if I think my pet is having an emergency or urgent condition?

Stay calm
Handle your pet carefully; scared or injured pets can sometimes be aggressive
If possible, call CVRC at (843) 614-8387 to alert us that you are on your way
Drive carefully

What are your operating hours for emergency care?

Our hospital is ALWAYS open for urgent and emergency care (24/7/365, including all weekends and holidays). If you call after normal business hours, please follow the prompts to speak with an onsite staff member.

Do I need to call before bringing my pet in through the Emergency service?

No, you do not need to call before coming in. However, if you can call to alert us, it will allow for us to plan procedures accordingly and to prepare for your visit, particularly with unstable or sick patients.

I am not sure if my pet is having an emergency. What do I do?

If you are very worried, the best course of action is to bring your pet in to be seen. We have veterinary nurses available 24/7/365 to answer any questions you have (time permitting). If you are unsure if your pet should be seen, please call us and we can help determine the best course of action. There is no fee for this phone call.

What should I bring to the emergency visit?

Please bring your pet and any information regarding their medical history and current medications (including tablet sizes and dosing). With your permission, we will make every effort to obtain medical records from your pet’s other doctors.

Is someone going to be caring for my pet 24 hours a day?

Yes, all patients have around-the-clock care. We always have doctors and veterinary nurses on the premises to monitor and care for your pet.

Should I bring my pet’s prescription medications and/or prescription food when my pet is admitted to the hospital?

In an emergency situation, the priority is for you and your pet to get to CVRC. If your pet is hospitalized, we can use our in house pharmacy for the large majority of medications. If we don’t have a medication or food that your pet requires, we may ask you to provide it.

What should I do if I found a stray dog or cat?

Please bring the animal directly to the animal shelter in the county it was found.

Charleston County

Charleston Animal Society

(843) 747-4849

Berkeley County

Doc Williams SPCA aka Berkeley County Shelter

(843) 761-0683

Dorchester County

Francis Willis SPCA

(843) 871-3820

If these shelters are not open, you may bring the stray animal to CVRC and we will facilitate transfer to the shelter when they open. We cannot accept any stray animals when shelters are open.

Do you treat wildlife at CVRC?

No, we do not treat wildlife at CVRC. If you find an apparently healthy wild animal, please leave it where it is. If you find an injured wild animal, please contact one of the following rescue groups’ emergency hotlines immediately. Leave a message and they will call you back.

Animal Rehabilitators of the Carolinas - Rock Hill (Charlotte, NC) Emergency Rescue Hotline - (704) 552-2329
Carolina Wildlife Care - Columbia Emergency Rescue Hotline - (803) 772-3994
Foothills Animal Rescue - Greenville Emergency Rescue Hotline - (864) 282-1917
The Center for Birds of Prey - Charleston Emergency Rescue Hotline - (843) 971-7474
Keeper of the Wild - Saint George Emergency Rescue Hotline - (843) 636-1659
Paws Animal Wildlife Sanctuary - Laurens Phone Number - (864) 683-3190
South Carolina Coastal Animal Rescue & Education - Georgetown Phone Number - (843) 546-7893
Wildlife Rehab of Greenville Emergency Rescue Hotline - (864) 233-0339