Smith Animal Hospital in South Carolina: Services, Hours, and What to Expect

What Smith Animal Hospital offers

Smith Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary clinic in South Carolina that treats dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The hospital provides routine care like vaccinations and wellness exams, as well as surgical services, dental cleaning, and treatment for injuries and illness. If your pet needs care beyond what the hospital can handle, the veterinarian can refer you to a specialty clinic or emergency facility.

The hospital operates as a traditional veterinary practice, meaning you schedule an appointment in advance for most visits. Emergency situations may be handled differently—it's worth calling ahead to ask whether Smith Animal Hospital takes walk-in emergencies or whether you should contact an emergency clinic instead.

Key Takeaways

• Smith Animal Hospital provides routine preventive care, surgery, dental work, and treatment for sick or injured pets in South Carolina.
• You will need to schedule an appointment before your visit, and bringing your pet's medical records from any previous veterinarian can speed up your first visit.
• The hospital can refer you to emergency clinics or specialty practices if your pet needs care they don't provide.
• Costs vary depending on the service, and it's reasonable to call ahead and ask about pricing for common procedures before your appointment.

How to schedule an appointment

Contact Smith Animal Hospital directly by phone or through their website to book a visit. Have your pet's name, age, and species ready, and let the staff know whether this is a first visit or a follow-up appointment. If your pet has seen another veterinarian before, ask whether you should bring those records with you—many hospitals find it helpful to have that history on file.

For a first appointment, plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can complete intake paperwork. Bring your pet's current medications (if any), a list of any health concerns you've noticed, and your pet's vaccination records if you have them. The veterinarian will use this information to build a complete picture of your pet's health.

What happens during a routine visit

A typical wellness exam includes a physical examination where the veterinarian checks your pet's weight, temperature, heart rate, and overall body condition. They will listen to the heart and lungs, feel the abdomen, check the teeth and ears, and look at the skin and coat. This is a good time to ask questions about your pet's diet, behavior, or any changes you've noticed at home.

If your pet is due for vaccinations, the veterinarian will discuss which ones are recommended based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and local disease risk. Puppies and kittens need a series of shots spaced several weeks apart, while adult pets typically need boosters annually or every three years depending on the vaccine. The veterinarian can explain which vaccines are required by law in South Carolina and which are optional.

Surgical and dental services

Smith Animal Hospital performs common surgical procedures including spaying and neutering, which are routine outpatient surgeries. Your pet will be given anesthesia, monitored during the procedure, and sent home the same day with instructions for post-operative care. The veterinarian will discuss pre-surgery bloodwork, fasting requirements, and what to expect during recovery before the appointment.

Dental cleaning is another service many veterinary hospitals offer. Pets can develop tartar buildup and gum disease just as humans do, and professional cleaning under anesthesia removes buildup below the gum line. The veterinarian may recommend dental X-rays to check for problems that aren't visible to the eye. After cleaning, you can help prevent future buildup by brushing your pet's teeth at home or using dental treats recommended by the veterinarian.

Costs and payment options

Veterinary costs vary widely depending on the service. A routine wellness exam typically costs less than a surgical procedure, and emergency care often costs more than scheduled appointments. Dental cleaning, bloodwork, and imaging like X-rays or ultrasound each add to the total. Call Smith Animal Hospital and describe what your pet needs—the staff can give you a general idea of what to expect before you come in.

Ask whether the hospital accepts payment plans, pet insurance, or credit cards. Some practices offer wellness plans where you pay a monthly fee and receive discounted or included services like exams and vaccines. Understanding the payment options ahead of time helps you plan and avoid surprises at checkout.

When to seek emergency care elsewhere

If your pet is bleeding heavily, unable to breathe, unconscious, or in severe pain, they need emergency care immediately. Call Smith Animal Hospital first to ask whether they handle emergencies or whether you should go directly to an emergency veterinary clinic. Many regular veterinary practices refer after-hours emergencies to dedicated emergency hospitals that are staffed 24/7.

Emergency clinics are equipped for trauma, toxin exposure, severe infections, and other life-threatening situations. They charge higher fees than routine clinics because they operate around the clock and have specialized equipment and staff. If you don't know where your nearest emergency clinic is, ask Smith Animal Hospital for a referral, or search online for "emergency veterinary clinic near me" and save the number for future reference.

Building a relationship with your veterinarian

Regular visits to the same veterinarian help them learn your pet's normal behavior and health patterns. Over time, they can spot subtle changes that might indicate a problem early, when treatment is often simpler and less expensive. Keeping vaccination records current and following the veterinarian's recommendations for preventive care—like heartworm testing, flea prevention, and dental care—reduces the risk of serious illness.

If you move or change veterinarians, ask Smith Animal Hospital to send your pet's medical records to the new clinic. These records are your property and help the new veterinarian provide continuous care without repeating tests or procedures your pet has already had.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring anything to my pet's first appointment?

Bring your pet's vaccination records from any previous veterinarian, a list of current medications, and any medical history you have. If you don't have records, that's okay—the new veterinarian will start fresh and can request records from your previous clinic if needed.

How often should my pet see a veterinarian?

Puppies and kittens need several visits in their first year for vaccinations and growth checks. Adult pets typically need one wellness exam per year, and senior pets (usually age seven and older) may benefit from twice-yearly visits to catch age-related problems early. Your veterinarian can recommend a schedule based on your pet's age and health.

What should I do if my pet is injured or sick after hours?

Call Smith Animal Hospital's phone line—many practices have a message directing you to an emergency clinic. If you can't reach them, search for an emergency veterinary clinic in your area or call an animal poison control center if toxin exposure is involved. Keep emergency clinic numbers saved in your phone for quick access.

Can I get a second opinion from another veterinarian?

Yes. You can request your pet's medical records from Smith Animal Hospital and take them to another veterinarian for a second opinion. This is especially common for serious diagnoses or before major surgery. Most veterinarians expect this and will cooperate with the process.

Does Smith Animal Hospital treat exotic pets?

Call the hospital directly to ask which species they treat. Many clinics focus on dogs and cats but may refer exotic pet owners to specialists who have training in birds, rabbits, reptiles, or other animals. If they don't treat your pet's species, they can usually recommend a clinic that does.