ABOUT OUR HOSPITAL
South Carolina Veterinary Emergency Care was created to provide high quality after-hours critical care for your pet. We are supported by a staff with special interest and experience in treating animals with emergency health concerns. Our staff includes 5 full-time veterinarians and 19 support personnel including licensed veterinary nurses, veterinary assistants, and receptionists.

When you come to SCVEC your pet will be given a full physical exam by one of our veterinarians. Once the veterinarian has examined your pet and assessed the situation, they will discuss with you the diagnostics to help treat your pet's emergency health problem. Please listen carefully as they explain these options, they will be detailed, and their costs explained to you. Be prepared that tests and other diagnostics can take time to achieve results, and some can indeed be costly. An estimate will be given to you for your approval of the recommended treatments. Once you have a complete understanding of the veterinarian's recommendations, you will be better able to make the decisions that best benefits your pet.

Your vet will perform necessary diagnostics in order to help him best treat your pet, and discuss the findings with you. They may suggest additional diagnostics, which could require your pet to remain overnight in the hospital for observation and treatment. Please note that SCVEC does not accept any personal items such as toys, blankets, etc. due to the fact they may get spoiled or lost and not returned to you.

HOW LONG WILL I HAVE TO WAIT?
The number of patients that we see can vary from minute to minute. In most cases, patients are seen on a first come first serve basis. HOWEVER, THE MOST CRITICAL PATIENTS ARE SEEN AND TREATED FIRST. This may result in an extended wait time for non-critical patients. If this happens to you, we hope that you will be understanding. If your pet was in critical condition, you would be given the same consideration. Please be patient, we will do our best to treat your animal as soon as possible.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY ANIMAL TO BE TREATED?
Every patient is given a full physical exam. Most patients that are seen have some sort of diagnostics run. This is a time consuming process, the nurses have to gather samples and run the diagnostics> The doctor has to interpret the results as well as discuss the findings with each client. It may also take some clients more time than others to decide on what treatments they would like performed. We strive to take the best possible care of our patients. We will do our best to perform all diagnostics as quickly as possible.

HOW MUCH WILL MY PET'S CARE COST?
The cost of treating your pet can vary greatly depending on the severity of your pet's illness or injury. Our doctors will attempt to present you with the most accurate estimate possible. Payment can be made with cash, check, or credit card. Please keep in mind that a patient's condition can change quite suddenly and unexpectedly, requiring the doctor to perform diagnostics and/or treatments without having the chance to advise you of any changes in the estimate. Therefore, be sure we have a way of contacting you.

COST OF COMPASSION
Many owners are discouraged at the cost of veterinary care, and emergency care is no exception. Pet health insurance may be a way for you to defer some of these costs. Ask your regular veterinarian for reputable pet insurance companies to contact. Remember, veterinary hospitals are a business just like any other business, and your veterinarian must remain open to ensure your pet gets the care it deserves. Emergency services are at times more costly than general healthcare services. All lab services are done on-site (therefore, extensive lab equipment and supplies must be on hand), the inventory of pharmaceutical drugs is wide and varied to address any critical care situation, and other medications and treatment supplies not carried by daytime practices are essentials to us. We must also pay appropriate wages to staff at a facility that is open nights, weekends, and holidays with experienced and competent personnel. When you take these things into consideration, it will be easier for you to understand the costs of emergency medical care services as well as general healthcare services. Again, remember that the veterinary hospital is a business and must charge a fair and equal charge in order to continue to provide your pet the best care. Please take these considerations to heart when you are faced with necessary costs.

WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PET IS HOSPITALIZED? 
All hospitalized patients are monitored continuously throughout their stay. During the hours that we are open there is always a doctor and trained nursing staff on the premises. Discharge time for hospitalized patients is from 6:45 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. the morning following hospitalization. If your pet needs to be transferred to your regular veterinarian, your records will be faxed to them and any radiographs or samples will be sent with you. Your veterinarian is accustomed to receiving transfer patients from us and will find all the information he or she will need in the medical record.

HOW CAN I CHECK ON MY PETS STATUS?
Please feel free to call 798-3837 to check on your pet's status at anytime. If any serious changes occur in your pet's condition, a doctor will notify you. If you would like to visit your pet, please call before you come. Since we are an emergency hospital, you may be asked to wait in the lobby before visiting your pet while we attend to critically ill patients.

CLIENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS
Discharge time for hospitalized patients is from 6:45 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. the morning following hospitalization. All pet owners must be present to pick up their pets by 7:15 a.m.

Please feel free to call 798-3837 to check on your pet’s status at any time. A doctor and support staff will be present throughout the entire night to care for your animal. If any serious changes occur in your pet’s condition, a doctor will notify you.

Please understand that we are an emergency hospital, and you may be asked to wait in the lobby before visiting your pet while we attend to critically ill patients.

A deposit is required for all animals and full payment of your bill is required at discharge. We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. At discharge you will receive an itemized receipt and a copy of your pet’s case summary report, including x-rays. A doctor is available to answer any questions on your pet’s condition, if so requested.