After writing the last post about needing an emergency vet clinic, I made some calls. I wanted to see if any vet in Florence is taking after hours and/or emergency calls so that you can consider that in choosing a vet. Remember though, a vet can’t work 24/7, so I certainly understand if they are not able to take call after hours on the weekends… it would also mean staff would have to take call– no small undertaking.
Specifically, I called every vet in Florence as well as the Humane Society. The only veterinarian in Florence (based on my discussions with the people answering the phone) is …. Palmetto Animal Hospital. Their number is 667-6720. This is only for established clients, so if this is something you are looking for in a vet, you may want to consider calling Palmetto to discuss this policy. Obviously, if you work at a veterinary office in Florence and your policy is different, please let me know!
Companion told me that they will see established clients until 9:00 p.m. on days that they are open. Every other office told me that they will refer you to the Emergency Vet Clinic in either Columbia or Myrtle Beach (does not appear to have a website and some not so great reviews on google.).
This is not meant to be a criticism in any way. It has to be VERY difficult on the vets to decide to take call or not– they have to have some quality of life balance. It is just to let you know what they told me thier policies are so that you can investigate what works best for you. I think the best answer is for someone to start an actual emergency vet clinic– maybe local vets or maybe some entrepreneurial vets looking for a nice town to start a new business.
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I commented on your last post about Hewitt Animal Clinic and how Dr. Robby Hewitt came out around midnight one Saturday night in March when we desperately needed him. I can’t remember how we got his name or that he was “on call” that night — but we did — and called him — and he came. He’s been our dogs and cat vet ever since.
I did call them as well, and was told they do not have after hours or weekend call.
I use Palmetto Animal Hospital and LOVE them – Dr. Dolly Anderson is the best and is SO gentle with my cat, Smitty. Highly recommend them.
I don’t remember how we got in touch with them — but I’m glad we did! Robby is very good — I would highly recommend the Hewitt Animal Clinic.
His cousin Chuck Hewitt and wife Sylvia at Westside Animal Clinic and their family have recently become very active at Hopewell Presbyterian (where I am the pastor) and I am certain would be very good also — we just didn’t know them when we needed a vet and somehow got hooked up with Hewitt Animal Clinic.
I would highly recommend either Hewitt or Westside.
I completely agree with all of the information posted about needing a place to take your pet on the weekend.
My aunt and uncle have a dog that some how get out of their fence and was hit by a car. The dog was hurt sooo bad. But because of there not being a place in Florence they took the route to Columbia. In the process got pulled for speeding and there was so much blood from the dog the officer actually thought my family killed someone even though the dog was in my aunts lap. Once they finally got to the vet up there the vet said the dog almost lost to much blood to make it but after surgery and two days up there the dog is doing well.
It’s times like these that we really do need more in Florence to help the animals. What if the animal can’t make it to Columbia or the Beach? No owner wants to feel helpless over their companion.
Bill… I LOVE the quality of service at Westside AND the friendliness of the staff. In addition to the Hewitts, Dr. Marita Anderson is WONDERFUL. She’s been the doctor for my feline children since she first came to Florence. We always used Dr. Morris Anderson (at Florence Animal Hospital – now retired, no relation) where Dr. Marita first practiced when she came to town. When FAH closed, I went to Westside so my children could be seen by their Aunt Marita. I, too, wish we had after hours care locally… but for regular care and emergency services during office hours, Westside has my business and my respect and appreciation.
I just wanted to thank you for posting my email and the picture of my dog, Tully. I’m glad that you were able to bring some attention to this much needed matter. Palmetto Animal Hospital is not our current vet but knowing that they will help animals after-hours means a great deal and we may be switching. I still hope that someday Florence will be fortunate enough to have an Emergency Veterinarian’s clinic.
(By the way, the Vet and staff at the Columbia clinic were EXTREMELY nice and very attentive to Tully’s needs. I don’t want to, in any way, make it appear that they don’t do a fabulous job there- because they do!! Kudos to them for all that they do!!)
I almost lost my dog earlier this year due to acute xylitol poisoning (sugar-free gum–less than 2 pieces can kill a 20-pound dog within an hour). I got her to the vet in Columbia (actually Elgin) just in time to save her life but it took 3 days in Doggie ICU. Had that clinic been any farther away, she would have died. Why can’t these vet clinics work together to ensure that one vet is on-call after-hours and on the weekends, taking turns for one another? That’s what they used to do back in the day when only 2-3 vets were in this town (20 plus years ago). Now we have more vets but somehow have LESS service. It does not make sense. If they truly cared for their patients, I think they could work out some sort of cooperative agreement, instead, obviously, their own vacay time is more important to them, not their patients.
I’m not sure why Hewitt says they don’t have emergency care because they do, or at least they did a year or two ago when my cat had to have an emergency urinary catheterization. We called the office and got a generic answering service, but we told them our predicament, and I guess they deemed it worthy of immediate attention. They told us they contacted the vet on call and that she would be at the office in 10 minutes. She was the only one there, so I had to assist with the surgery, but it was a success. Otherwise, I don’t want to think of what would have happened over the weekend (this was a Friday night).
So, basically, I am a bit confused since I was given emergency service in Florence. Granted, it costs a lot more money than going during normal hours, but a few extra dollars in an emergency is not a concern when you’re talking about the life of a “loved one.”
Thanks, Flossip, for doing the research for us, though.
Hewitt used to have it when Dr Causey was there.. now he’s out on his own (Windsor Animal Hospital)- not sure if either has night service now… When Dr. Gaddy was still practicing- the vets in town all rotated a night/weekend shift… that went to the wayside when Gaddy retired…
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