CVETS - Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty

Our experience with CVETS so far has been an extremely good one, despite the stressful circumstances we first arrived under. We were sent here by Dr. Quintero of UrgentVet Spartanburg in December after she diagnosed Renfield with afib. He spent two nights at CVETs and was seen early that Monday morning by Dr. Kennerly, who diagnosed him with DCM and put us on track with treatment. Despite being a nearly two hour drive from home, I'm glad we were sent here for treatment. Renfield is dog reactive and they have been extremely patient in working with us and in getting us into a room with Renfield as soon as we come in. During his time in ICU, I was kept informed on his condition and able to check in on him at any time. Dr. Kennerly spoke with me over the phone after Renfield's diagnosis and took the time to explain his condition, his medications, and set expectations for his health going forward. As of yesterday, we visited in order to recieve a holter monitor for 24 hours to assess his condition a month into treatment. I appreciated the paper copies of instructions/explanations we recieved after both of our appointments with CVETS, as it can be difficult to remember all of the details after-the-fact. I've frequently referenced the packet of information we were given after his first visit, particularly for the dietary recommendations. While expensive, the prices at CVETs did not go over what my expectations were for an emergency vet visit or care regarding a giant-breed dog with a heart condition. I was able to choose to put part of the bill on a payment plan through Cherry (this does require applying to Cherry and receiving an approval). We did have a bit of wait the very first time we came in, but the emergency room had been busy and the staff had been trying to contact the vet who referred us, as well as wait to see if they could hear from the cardiologist who is off-site on the weekend, so it was understandable. For our appointment, we were immediately seen and spent less than an hour total at CVETS. I'm glad to have the CVETs cardiology team looking after Renfield. Learning that he had heart disease was scary and stressful, but I feel confident in the quality of care that we'll be able to give him going forward. Right now, he's still happy and fairly healthy, and that's all I could ask for.

It’s been just under two weeks since we had to put our beloved Sebastian down and I’ve finally gotten the courage to face what I have to say about our experience with CVETS. When I say a disastrous couple of months couldn’t have gone better, as strange as it sounds, it’s true. Dr. Bohn and the entire neurology staff were exceptional and one of a kind. We went from a Wednesday yearly vet appointment with a “healthy middle aged dog” to Friday with his first would be seizure. As things progressed, Dr Bohn kept us well informed of every possibility, what to look for, signs of emergencies, and possible outcomes. She gave us hope when appropriate but kept us informed of her worries and concerns. As things progressed and got worse, she kept us educated every step of the way. Even when my husband was out of the country and it became apparent that the end was coming, she took time out of her busy day to call me and answer every question I had, discuss appropriate dosing of new medicine, and to truly make me feel like it was ok to think that it might be time. This is how I know that when the time came, even as I did it alone, that it was truly time. I had no hesitations, no additional questions, knew that what was expected was happening, and approached it with peace and calm that Sebastian deserved. What ended up being one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever gone through was the most peaceful and beautiful experience I’ll forever cherish. I got my dog for two more months, and will forever be grateful to the team there for everything they did. I didn’t remember the doctors name who helped us when it was time to bring Sebastian in, but she couldn’t have been more perfect in putting him down. She was thoughtful, calming, and nurturing and was exactly what I needed in letting my best friend go. I can’t thank CVETS enough for handling my best friend like he was one of theirs. I wouldn’t trust my animals in an emergency to anyone else. Thank you.

I have sadly been a very common person here of late. I am very grateful they are open 24/7. The staff has always been nice at the front and the vet nice. Some techs not so much but 90% have been wonderful. My first three visits had been Parvo puppies. The ones showing sick. The wait time was always really long. Why the 4 stars. Most waits where 5 hours after being checked in and being Parvo they didn't want us to leave the room. I get it, but maybe have a Parvo set room with its own bathroom attached if the owners can't leave the room. But anyway, last night I have a dog get bloat and rushed him in (they are an hour drive). I hoped we could do surgery and hopefully save him. But sadly at the time, I can't do 9k up front. So we sadly put him down over having him suffer. His visit went on the faster side of things and from start to finish was a bit over an hour. The staff and care is overall great. Sadly emergency visits are expensive. My normal vet had they been open would have been $1,500 to $3,000 and I would need to pay at pick up. So it would have given time to get some funds together. I could have figured out 9k or more if it was at pick up over right then. But at least he isn't suffering now.

We have been to Emergency Trauma and Specialty three times; and, they have been wonderful each time. Every person who works there have always been caring and loving to our little Luci and have taken care of my husband and me. We are an hour and a half away from CVET and I would drive it everyday if I had to. They are the best in every way towards our Luci and us. We have seen Emergency Doctors, Specialists (Internal Medicine and Cardiology) and the Nurses and Aides couldn’t have been more caring and loving to us. Don’t hesitate to take your Pets there. The Best!

The whole process and experience with CVETS was great! My dog had to have surgery to repair his broken pelvis due to being run over and I was scared in the beginning but they were informative and helpful through the whole process. He had to stay for 3 nights and have surgery to have a plate screwed into his hip, it got pricey but it gave me peace of mind knowing they all genuinely cared for my little guy and were going to take great care of him. Can’t speak highly enough of all the employees there and Dr. Barillo. I live almost 2 hours away and will always return to them in emergencies.