South Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care
4.2 (859) 3924 Fernandina Rd, Columbia, SC 29210, USAHours:
Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
How to Save Money at South Carolina Veterinary Specialists and Emergency Care
Schedule Regular Vet Visits
One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.
Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions
Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.
Pet Insurance
Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.
How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?
Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:
| Rating | Provider | Total Review |
|---|---|---|
| 4.4 | AKC | 889 |
| 4.7 | ASPCA | 11,411 |
| 4.9 | Embrace | 14,234 |
| 4.9 | Fetch | 2,051 |
| 4.4 | Figo | 2,579 |
| 4.7 | Hartville | 164 |
| 4.9 | Healthy Paws | 7,477 |
| 4.9 | Lemonade | 783 |
| 3.2 | ManyPets | 2,153 |
| 4.6 | MetLife | 493 |
| 4.8 | Nationwide | 21,393 |
| 4.3 | Pet Assure | 12 |
| 4.7 | PetPartners | 110 |
| 4.5 | Pets Best | 7,196 |
| 4.3 | Pumpkin | 1,163 |
| 4.7 | Spot | 5,260 |
| 4.9 | Trupanion | 60,297 |
| 4.8 | Prudent Pet | 125 |
Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.
Thinking of insuring your pet?
Get Quotes & CompareGetting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask
Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:
Tell me about your experience with [pet type].
Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.
How do you handle emergencies?
You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.
How do you communicate with pet owners?
Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.
Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?
Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.
Do you have any questions for me about my pet?
This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.
Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?
Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.
Reviews from Google
Ended up having to take my cat in for a bladder problem on back to back weekends, both after hours. The care was absolutely fantastic. Staff cared deeply about Gus’ well being and were transparent about the prices of treatment. He had to stay overnight for a couple of nights, but I was able to visit during the day. It was obvious when I saw him that he had been well cared for. He is now back to his happy, healthy self!
posted: 05/25/2023
Wonderful and very friendly staff! The doctor and the staff were very kind and helped me out loads when I found a kitten in a parking lot in very bad shape during after hours for my normal vet. I wasn't sure if he'd make it through to the night, but he's now a very healthy one-eyed kitten thanks to the lovely folks here ❤️
posted: 08/02/2023
I loved my experience here. My chihuahua, Layla went into heart failure from CHF and they were able to regulate her breathing and add in the appropriate medications. I was kept up to date on everything and the facility was extremely clean. Every single staff member was pleasant and helpful. I hope I don’t have to go back but if we ever run into an emergency again, this is where I will be going. Also my total cost for 2 nights was way under estimated budget. I think the total price was fair especially considering Im able to have more time with my girl and she seems back to normal. Thank you SCVEC!!
posted: 06/06/2023
I had to take my best friend Buck here to be treated for a gunshot wound. Dr. Watson and the staff went to incredible lengths in attempting to save Bucks life. Unfortunately Buck was to badly injured for them to save him. At 9AM on June 2nd my best friend died in my arms. After Buck passed I was offered many condolences and sympathy. These people truly felt my loss. If I am ever unfortunate to need such care again I will immediately go here. These people are incredible. Rick Riley
posted: 06/06/2023
Had to take my old girl in because she ate a piece of chicken liver that we were using as bait on a fishing trip. Unfortunately that chicken liver had a hook, bobber, and was attached to a fishing pole at the time. The staff was kind, caring, and got her back immediately. Good Firebird we have anymore emergencies but I wouldn’t hesitate to go to this facility if we did. Staff was impeccable and I will forever be grateful! ~Cocos mom
posted: 08/13/2023
Veterinarians in Columbia, South Carolina
Ambassador Animal Hospital
5317 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206, USA(803) 787-3840
Banfield Pet Hospital
4400 Fort Jackson Blvd Ste 300, Columbia, SC 29209, USA(803) 738-3763
Banks Animal Hospital
6070 St Andrews Rd, Columbia, SC 29212, USA(803) 798-6252
Capital Animal Hospital
511 Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29205, USA(803) 722-1738
CVETS - Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty
1321 Oakcrest Dr, Columbia, SC 29223, USA(803) 995-8913
Five Points Animal Clinic
900 Harden St, Columbia, SC 29205, USA(803) 799-4302
Forest Acres Animal Hospital
3327 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29204, USA(803) 738-1515
Fort Jackson Vet Clinic
2445-D Knight Rd, Columbia, SC 29207, USA(803) 751-7160