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CVETS Veterinary Urgent Care: What to Expect When Your Pet Needs Emergency Treatment

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What CVETS Does and When to Take Your Pet There

CVETS (Companion Veterinary Emergency and Trauma Services) operates urgent care clinics across South Carolina that handle injuries, acute illnesses, and other conditions that need veterinary attention but may not require a full emergency hospital stay. CVETS clinics treat bite wounds, lameness, vomiting, difficulty breathing, eye injuries, and other problems that develop outside regular veterinary office hours or need faster care than a standard appointment allows.

CVETS is not the same as a 24-hour emergency hospital. Emergency hospitals handle life-threatening trauma, severe poisoning, and cases requiring intensive care or surgery. CVETS handles urgent situations—your dog limping badly, your cat not eating, a wound that needs cleaning and sutures—where you need a veterinarian quickly but the animal is stable enough for urgent care rather than full emergency medicine.

The main difference matters for your wallet and your wait time. CVETS visits typically cost less than a full emergency hospital visit, and you usually see a veterinarian faster because the clinic is not managing critical cases at the same time. If your pet arrives and the veterinarian determines the problem is life-threatening, CVETS can refer you to an emergency hospital and provide records to speed up the transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • CVETS clinics in South Carolina handle urgent pet injuries and illnesses during evening and weekend hours when regular veterinary offices are closed.
  • You do not need an appointment—walk-in visits are accepted, though calling ahead can reduce your wait time.
  • Bring your pet's medical records if you have them, proof of ownership, and payment information, as CVETS requires payment at the time of service.
  • If the veterinarian determines your pet needs emergency-level care, CVETS will refer you to a 24-hour hospital and provide medical records to transfer with your pet.
  • CVETS locations and hours vary by clinic, so check the specific address and operating times before you go.

CVETS Locations and Hours in South Carolina

CVETS operates multiple clinics across South Carolina, with locations in the Midlands, Lowcountry, and Upstate regions. Each clinic has its own address and hours, so you need to confirm which one is closest to you and whether it is open when you need it. Most CVETS clinics operate during evening hours and weekends, filling the gap between regular veterinary office hours and 24-hour emergency hospitals.

Before you head to a CVETS clinic with your pet, call ahead or check their website to confirm the address, current hours, and whether they are accepting walk-ins at that moment. Some clinics may temporarily close or adjust hours for staffing or other reasons. Having the correct location and hours prevents a stressful drive with a sick or injured pet only to find the clinic closed.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Bring your pet's medical records if you have them—vaccination history, previous diagnoses, current medications, and any records from your regular veterinarian. CVETS veterinarians use this information to understand your pet's health history and make better treatment decisions. If you do not have records with you, tell the veterinarian what you know about your pet's medical past.

Bring proof of ownership, such as a microchip registration, adoption papers, or veterinary records showing your name. CVETS requires this to confirm you are authorized to make decisions about the pet's care. Bring a payment method—CVETS requires payment at the time of service and does not bill later. They typically accept credit cards, debit cards, and cash, but call ahead to confirm what payment methods the specific clinic accepts.

If your pet is injured or in pain, bring a carrier or crate if you have one, or be prepared to handle your pet safely during transport. For bite wounds or injuries, bring any information about what caused the injury—this helps the veterinarian assess the risk of infection or other complications. If your pet ingested something toxic, bring the container or packaging if you have it, or write down the name and amount if you can estimate it.

What Happens During a CVETS Visit

When you arrive, you will check in at the front desk and provide your pet's name, your contact information, and a brief description of why you are there. The staff will ask about your pet's medical history and current medications. You will be asked to sign consent forms authorizing the veterinarian to examine and treat your pet.

A veterinary technician will take your pet's vital signs—temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure—and may perform initial assessments like checking for wounds or listening to the lungs. The veterinarian will then examine your pet, ask you detailed questions about when the problem started and what you have noticed, and may recommend diagnostic tests such as X-rays, bloodwork, or ultrasound depending on what they find.

Once the veterinarian has a diagnosis, they will explain what is wrong with your pet, what treatment options are available, and what the costs will be. You will decide whether to proceed with treatment at CVETS or seek care elsewhere. If treatment is straightforward—cleaning and suturing a wound, giving injections for pain or nausea, prescribing antibiotics—CVETS can handle it. If your pet needs surgery, intensive monitoring, or hospitalization, the veterinarian will refer you to a 24-hour emergency hospital.

Cost and Payment

CVETS visit costs vary depending on what your pet needs. A basic examination and consultation costs less than a visit that includes X-rays, bloodwork, or wound repair. Emergency hospitals typically charge more than CVETS for the same services, partly because they maintain 24-hour staffing and intensive care capabilities. CVETS is usually less expensive because it operates during specific hours and does not provide hospitalization.

Payment is due at the time of service. Some CVETS clinics may offer payment plans for larger bills, but this varies by location—ask the staff when you check in. Pet insurance may cover some or all of the CVETS visit, depending on your policy. If you have pet insurance, bring your policy information or member ID so the clinic can help you understand what will be covered.

When to Go to CVETS Versus a 24-Hour Emergency Hospital

Go to CVETS for injuries and illnesses that are uncomfortable or concerning but not immediately life-threatening: a limp that started today, vomiting that happened once or twice, an eye that looks irritated, a bite wound that needs cleaning, or a pet that seems painful but is alert and breathing normally. CVETS can diagnose and treat these problems quickly and at lower cost than an emergency hospital.

Go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet is unconscious or barely conscious, having difficulty breathing, bleeding heavily, having repeated seizures, unable to urinate or defecate, in severe pain, or showing signs of shock such as pale gums, rapid heartbeat, or weakness. Also go to an emergency hospital if your pet ingested a known toxin, was hit by a car, or has a condition that might need surgery or overnight monitoring. If you are unsure whether your pet needs emergency care or urgent care, call a veterinarian or poison control and describe what you are seeing—they can help you decide.

After Your CVETS Visit

Before you leave, ask the veterinarian for written discharge instructions that explain your pet's diagnosis, what treatment was given, what medications to give at home and how often, and what to watch for over the next few days. Ask when to follow up with your regular veterinarian—some conditions need a check-up within a few days, while others can wait a week or two. If your pet was prescribed medications, ask about side effects and what to do if your pet refuses to take them.

Keep the receipt and any medical records CVETS provides. If your pet's condition worsens or does not improve as expected, contact your regular veterinarian or return to CVETS. If you have pet insurance, submit the receipt and medical records to your insurance company for reimbursement according to your policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an appointment at CVETS?

No, CVETS accepts walk-in visits. However, calling ahead to let them know you are coming can reduce your wait time, especially during busy evenings or weekends. Some clinics may ask you to wait in your car if they are at capacity, so calling ahead helps you plan.

What if CVETS says my pet needs emergency hospital care?

CVETS will refer you to a 24-hour emergency hospital and provide your pet's medical records and examination findings to transfer with your pet. This speeds up the process at the emergency hospital because the veterinarians there will already know what CVETS found and what treatment was started.

Can CVETS treat my pet if I do not have money right now?

CVETS requires payment at the time of service. Some clinics may offer payment plans for larger bills, but this varies by location. Call the clinic ahead of time to ask about payment options or financial assistance programs they may have.

Will my regular veterinarian know about my CVETS visit?

CVETS will provide you with medical records from your visit. It is your responsibility to share those records with your regular veterinarian or bring them to your next appointment. Giving your regular veterinarian the full picture of what happened helps them provide better ongoing care.

What should I do if my pet's condition gets worse after leaving CVETS?

Contact CVETS immediately if you are still within their operating hours, or go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if it is after hours. Describe what has changed since you left CVETS. Bring your discharge paperwork and any medications CVETS prescribed so the veterinarians can see what treatment was already given.