Westside Veterinary Clinic in Columbia: Services, Hours, and What to Expect
What Westside Veterinary Clinic offers
Westside Veterinary Clinic is a full-service animal hospital in Columbia that treats dogs, cats, and other companion animals. The clinic provides routine preventive care, surgical procedures, dental work, and emergency services. They work with pet owners to manage chronic conditions, vaccinations, and behavioral concerns.
The clinic operates from a single location on the Westside of Columbia and maintains a staff of veterinarians and veterinary technicians. They keep their own laboratory equipment on-site, which means some test results come back the same day rather than requiring a wait for outside processing.
Key Takeaways
- Westside Veterinary Clinic provides preventive care, surgery, dental services, and emergency treatment for dogs, cats, and other pets in Columbia.
- The clinic has in-house laboratory capabilities, allowing faster turnaround on many diagnostic tests.
- You can reach the clinic by phone to ask about current availability, pricing for specific services, and whether they are taking new patients.
- Hours and location details are available through a direct call or online search, as these can change seasonally or due to staffing.
- Many pet owners use Westside for both routine annual visits and urgent same-day care when their regular veterinarian is unavailable.
Routine and preventive services
Annual wellness exams are the foundation of what Westside offers. During these visits, a veterinarian checks your pet's weight, listens to the heart and lungs, examines the teeth and gums, and reviews vaccination status. These exams catch early signs of disease and help you plan for your pet's long-term health.
Vaccinations are updated based on your pet's age, lifestyle, and risk factors. Puppies and kittens need a series of shots spaced weeks apart, while adult pets typically need boosters annually or every three years depending on the vaccine. The clinic can discuss which vaccines your specific pet needs.
Preventive care also includes parasite control—flea, tick, and heartworm prevention—and dental cleanings. Dental disease is common in pets and can lead to serious infections if left untreated, so regular cleanings and at-home brushing are part of keeping your pet healthy.
Surgical and dental procedures
Westside performs spaying and neutering, which are routine surgeries that prevent unwanted litters and reduce the risk of certain cancers and infections. The clinic uses anesthesia protocols tailored to each pet's age and health status, and pets are monitored closely during and after surgery.
Dental procedures range from routine cleanings under anesthesia to extractions when teeth are damaged or diseased. The clinic has dental equipment on-site and can often complete these procedures without referring you elsewhere. Dental work is particularly important for older pets, whose teeth may be compromised by years of plaque buildup.
Other surgical services may include mass removal, wound repair, and orthopedic procedures. The clinic can discuss whether a particular surgery is best handled in-house or requires referral to a specialist.
Diagnostic testing and laboratory work
Having in-house laboratory equipment means Westside can run blood work, urinalysis, and fecal tests without sending samples to an outside lab. This speeds up diagnosis when your pet is sick and allows the veterinarian to discuss results with you the same day in many cases.
Common tests include complete blood counts to check for anemia or infection, chemistry panels to assess organ function, and thyroid tests for older pets. Ultrasound and digital radiography (X-rays) are also available, which helps the veterinarian see inside your pet's body to diagnose problems that an exam alone cannot reveal.
Emergency and urgent care
Westside accepts emergency cases during their regular hours and can often fit in urgent appointments for established patients whose regular veterinarian is closed. If your pet has a life-threatening emergency outside clinic hours, you will need to contact an emergency veterinary hospital, as Westside does not operate 24/7.
Common urgent situations include vomiting or diarrhea that lasts more than a few hours, inability to urinate or defecate, difficulty breathing, collapse, or severe injury. Calling ahead when you are on your way helps the clinic prepare for your arrival and ensures a veterinarian is available to see your pet quickly.
How to contact and schedule
Call Westside Veterinary Clinic directly to ask about current hours, location, and availability for new patients. The staff can answer questions about pricing for specific services, discuss your pet's health history, and schedule an appointment at a time that works for you.
When you call, have your pet's age, breed, and any current medications or health concerns ready to share. If your pet has been seen by another veterinarian recently, ask whether records can be transferred to Westside so the new veterinarian has a complete picture of your pet's health.
Many pet owners schedule annual wellness exams in the same month each year to make it easier to remember. If your pet needs multiple services—such as a dental cleaning and vaccines—the clinic can often bundle these into one or two visits to reduce the number of times your pet needs anesthesia.
What to bring and how to prepare
Bring your pet's vaccination records and any medical records from previous veterinarians. If your pet is on medication, bring the bottles so the veterinarian can see the exact dosage and frequency. For a first visit, arrive a few minutes early to complete a new patient form with your contact information and your pet's history.
For surgical procedures, the clinic will give you pre-operative instructions—usually fasting (no food) the night before and the morning of surgery. After surgery, your pet will need a quiet recovery space at home and restrictions on activity for a set period while the incision heals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my pet's records from my previous veterinarian?
It helps, but it is not required. If you have records, bring them so Westside has a complete history. If you do not have them, you can call your previous veterinarian and ask them to send records directly to Westside, or the clinic can request them on your behalf.
How much does a routine exam cost?
Pricing varies by clinic and region. Call Westside directly to ask about their current exam fees and any package deals they may offer for multiple services. Many clinics offer discounts for wellness plans that bundle exams, vaccines, and preventive care.
Can Westside handle emergencies at night or on weekends?
Westside operates during regular business hours. For emergencies outside those hours, you will need to contact an emergency veterinary hospital in the Columbia area. Ask Westside for the name and number of the emergency clinic they recommend so you have it on hand.
What should I do if my pet needs a specialist?
Westside can refer you to a specialist—such as a surgeon, cardiologist, or dermatologist—if your pet's condition requires expertise beyond general practice. The clinic will provide a referral and can send your pet's records to the specialist's office to ensure continuity of care.
How often should my pet see a veterinarian?
Most adult pets benefit from an annual wellness exam. Puppies and kittens need more frequent visits for vaccines and growth monitoring. Senior pets (typically over age 7) may need exams twice a year to catch age-related diseases early. Your veterinarian can recommend a schedule based on your pet's age and health.