24-Hr Vet only in Mount Pleasant? (Charleston, North Charleston: home, high school, subdivisions) - South Carolina (SC) -Charleston - North Charleston - Mt. Pleasant - Summerville - Goose Creek - City-Data Forum

macalan · 04-11-2012, 06:44 PM

My husband and I are looking at the Charleston area for retirement. Two of our deal-breaker "must haves" are 1) a good "people hospital" in town, and 2) a 24-hr vet hospital in town.

I've had too many frantic drives with a husband with chest pain, or a pet needing an emergency transfusion, that I won't budge on this.

I've learned Summerville does not have a 24-hr vet in town. Does James Island? Someone mentioned that Mount Pleasant does.

So far, it seems llike Mount Pleasant might be the place for us, even though prices are higher.

Which of the 2 hospitals in Mount Pleasant is better? How do these compare to the hospitals in Charleston? (Roper, etc.)

Techgeek · 04-11-2012, 07:50 PM

To be fair, Summerville does not have a 24-hr vet per se but....

The vet that we always used when we had pets was a family friend (more of a family acquaintance). He lived around the corner and I can assure you that in an emergency, he would meet us at his office or at our home at 3 am if needs be.

There is also an emergency vet on Montague in North Charleston which is 14 miles down I-26 from 17-A. It' s a short drive when you have a sick pet. Depending on where you lived in Summerville the drive would be shorter.

In Mt Pleasant, the emergency Vets are right smack in the middle of town which is likely not where you would end up living. The distance in miles might be less but the time it takes you to get there in heavy Mt Pleasant traffic would be a good bit more.

I'm not making this up, it has taken me 40 minutes to move 3 miles on 17-S in Mt Pleasant at 1:00 in the afternoon on a weekday.

Not asking you to budge, just giving you all the info you need to consider.

MINIcoopKJG · 04-11-2012, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Techgeek

In Mt Pleasant, the emergency Vets are right smack in the middle of town which is likely not where you would end up living. The distance in miles might be less but the time it takes you to get there in heavy Mt Pleasant traffic would be a good bit more.

I agree that the drive would take a while during the day, but after dinner time the traffic lightens up considerably. I will only drive 17 after dinner.

macalan · 04-13-2012, 04:57 AM

Can anyone tell me if James Island has a 24-hr animal hospital?

moneill · 04-13-2012, 08:22 AM

I live in the area of 17/Bowman/526 and travel 17 to and from Wando High School at all times of the day -- first thing in the morning, rush hour, during the day. etc.

It is about 8 miles and my average time is 20 minutes, even in rush hour. It has never taken me more than 25 minutes and usually I can make it in 15. I don't have to take 17 all the way but really 17 from Chuck Dawley to IOP moves pretty quickly even in rush hour...probably just as fast as Hungry Neck or Rifle Range -- two alternate routes.

The hospitals in Mt. Pleasant have good reputations. The Roper one is new and is a little further north -- closer to Park West area. I think the 24 hr. vet is closer to my neck of the woods -- south of there.....about 20 minutes away from the hospital.

animalasylum · 04-26-2012, 06:08 AM

There is a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic in West Ashley. It is called Charleston Veterinary Referral Care Center. They have a board-certified Critical Care veterinarian, emergency veterinarians and every other specialty (except behavior) present in their facility. They come highly recommended and are top-notch in care and service. With that said, you do have to pay for that service but it is worth every penny.

If you choose to live "further out" towards West Ashley or even John's Island, they could be a convenient drive. There is also a good veterinary clinic close to them called Bees Ferry Animal Hospital. They are open until 7 pm most nights (maybe even 9 pm).

I am a veterinarian in the Summerville area and would recommend both of these places for veterinary care.

Best of luck!

macalan · 04-29-2012, 04:33 AM

Thanks AnimalAsylum. Do you know anything about the 24 hr Vet(s) in Mount Pleasant? I see one called Veterinary Specialty Care on Johnnie Dodds Blvd where ER is oen 24 hours.

animalasylum · 04-29-2012, 06:41 AM

Sure! The one in Mt. Pleasant has a branch in North Charleston. They have emergency facilities overnight, they have all the specialists as well, and do a great job. We are very lucky in the greater Charleston area to have some great veterinary resources - emergency and specialty practices. All of them are very good. And now that there are 3, all of them are more easily accessible.

roxanneself · 04-29-2012, 09:04 AM

Veterinary Special Care is WONDERFUL! We have not needed their emergency services, but because my breed is prone to needing ER services I have been in there to talk to them about what to do in case of various scenarios. They even told me that if I needed to come in and couldn't get my dog into the car or find any other help to call them and they would try to send someone to help me.
We have been to their ortho department many many times, and we really love them in there. You couldn't ask for a more friendly, helpful group of people.
I am very particular about where I take my dogs, and these guys get my stamp of approval.

macalan · 04-29-2012, 05:18 PM

Wow, that's great news. We recently rescued a Coonhound from KY, and unfortunately it's been one thing after another - we've spent well over 10K in the 3 months that we've had her, but wouldn't have it any other way. She's the sweetest dog, and deserves a good life....

We've got 2 great ER hopitals "near" us (each are 45 min.) away - they are "sister" hospitals, and are awesome. Very high tech. I have a client whose dog was hit by a car and he took his dog there. He told me when he gets sick he wants to be taken there!

They treated our cat for 5 months who was dying of FIP and were wonderful. Needless to say, our animals mean everything to us, so I am thrilled to hear there are great rescources available, and that we will not have to drive 45 minutes to reach them.

Where is Johnnie Dodds Blvd? What subdivisions would be near there?

We've recently been having problems with Abby (our dog) and her breathing (she has asthma and COPD) so we've had to postpone our visit from Memorial day week to the first week of October. Can't wait!!

Thanks everyone for your kindness and help.