Charleston Veterinary Referral Center

The Best Veterinary Hospital in S.C. They saved my chihuahua that had pulmonary hypertension. Dr. Jesty and Dr. Welch were the best and all the techs were incredible. Guaranteed!

I brought my sick cat here at 5 a.m. and got excellent care. While she was in end-​stage renal failure and had to be put to sleep, Dr. Evans and the staff did everything they could to confirm the diagnosis and make her (and me) comfortable in her final moments. Losing a pet is never easy, but the end-​of-​life care here is top-​notch. Next time I have a sick pet this will be my first stop. I do wish they offered regular pet care since the quality of care is so much better than any other local vets.
I was particularly touched by how respectful they were when I picked up my cat’s cremains.

I had an emergency with one of my boxers, and Dr. Conrad was fantastic. She went out of her way to take care of my dog and help us any way that she could. I really appreciate everything she did for us. My dog ended up having to stay the night; and although the cost was high (which is to be expected with a late Sunday night emergency visit), it was lower than I expected it to be. I cannot thank Dr. Conrad enough for her help and understanding.

I went here today because my puppy woke up with pus in her eyes. It was so bad that she could barely open her eyes, it looked like pink eye but on a puppy.
I decided to take her here because all the other clinics that researched closed at noon. It is $ 85 for just bringing your pet in. That’s not including meds and other exams that they will do to your pet.
When I brought my pup in, 3 other dogs were brought in also. It took 2 hours for them to discharge my pup when the examination took about 20 mins. Even when the doctor told the front desk staff and I that the pup was finished it took 20 mins for them to give me my pup back.
What made me upset about my experience was the time I had to wait WITHOUT my pup. They take your pet away from you and bring them back into the exam area. You are not allowed to be with your pet. I was completely appalled by this because my puppy was so scared to be there, let alone to be left in a kennel in a strange place for a few hours. I was also upset because the vet and tech admitted to me that the exam didn’t take long, «he just had a lot of emergency animals come in and he was sorry».
That is not an excuse to me. If my puppy didn’t take that long, then why wouldn’t you just give me the meds and get me out the door so you could spend more time with the other pets that needed more time to care for?
I would not go here again because of this experience.

I was referred to CVRC to evaluate and remove a fungal growth in my cat’s nose. Dr Graham came in, immediately talking to playing with and evaluating my kitty. She introduced herself somewhere in the middle of all that. Her primary focus was on Chloe.
Because the surgery was not going to be cheap; the staff worked with me to secure financing call Chloe was being prepped.
Within a half hour, Chloe was in surgery. I was kept updated throughout the process. Chloe was kept overnight for observation and released to me the following morning. She was prescribed a specialty compounded antifungal medication. Chloe has resisted most attempts to give her the medicine. The staff and Dr Graham have worked with Chloe’s vet to find the easiest method, including changing from a capsule to a suspension liquid.
If I could I would give them four and a half stars but had to drop it to four because of follow through. Make sure that you are proactive in getting any prescriptions or medications after the fact. They are not always filled as quickly as you need them to be.
Overall, this was a very stress free experience given the circumstances. The atmosphere and office are very well maintained, the staff is inviting and the doctors are very patient oriented.
CVRC has been saved as a contact for our emergency vet or if any of my pets need their expertise.

I don’t know why I waited so long to write this review. Last summer during a visit to Charleston, the team here literally saved our beloved Beagle’s life. The doctors were able to diagnose a relatively obscure chronic illness (Addison’s) based on his symptoms and subsequent tests.
As soon as they started treating Biggles, the recovery was incredibly fast. After his first night there, he was like his old self again. It was nothing short of a miracle, and we have never been so relieved!
And now, at 8.5 years old, he’s like a puppy again. I’m beyond grateful to everyone at this facility!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!

We just went back for a follow up to the procedure we had done last month. Everything was excellent from that but while we were there we were talking about our cats kidney disease. We had them run a full panel on her blood. That turned up some concerns. Her potassium was dangerously low. They gave us option to take her home and administer a program or admit her and they would. We had them keep her and get her levels right. These people are fantastic. Dr Welch and her team are great. She is the most knowledgeable vet I have ever talked to and she has great bedside manor. She can relay everything in ways anyone can understand. A truly exceptional experience !

My Boxer was spewing blood at «that» end while on our nightly neighborhood walk. Of course it was at 7 pm! I was referred to this place by a friend who said they were trustworthy. No waiting, took my baby directly to be examined while the Vet Tech asked me a handful of quality questions.
Everyone was super nice. Vet took his time explaining what was going on & what to watch for.
They didn’t want to wrack up unnecessary expenses or unneeded X-​rays etc. Told me what they thought it was (Colitis from stress & recent move) gave me antibiotics & de-​worming meds just in case. Trust them. They won’t steal you blind.
They followed up two days later. Happy to report all is well & my Boxer is all better!

Absolutely wonderful after hours emergency doctors and staff! Everyone is very helpful and friendly. They never rushed me with my questions and decisions, and despite what you might expect, everything was reasonably priced. They even called over the next few days to check on Legend, and spoke with his regular vet about his condition.
Should you ever be in need of an emergency vet, this is your place!

The facility speaks for itself. Top notch doctors, staff and equipment. Cannot recommend enough!

After coming here and experiencing the wonderful staff and vets, I will no longer be taking my dogs to their current vet office. They have everything you need and would expect when you’re forced to face an emergency situation with your child (pet?). They have a keurig, free wifi, free phone chargers, water, and of course, TV. Their staff is amazing and so kind. They are all so thoughtful and patient and caring and I can’t say enough about them. It’s so refreshing especially coming from W Ash Vets, who are nothing but rude and act like they don’t have time for your questions and concerns.

I highly recommend this center. I have brought 4 dogs to this team of skilled veterinarians and each time our pups went in ill and came out in tip top shape. The place is very clean and the most professional vet I have ever seen. I especially like that everyone there genuinely cares for the animals and will go everything necessary to ensure excellent medical care of your pup.
On July 12^th I brought my rescue pup Ozzy there in poor condition and he left there a new happy and healthy pup. :) Dr. Torres and Dr. Welch were his primary veterinarians and Ozzy was VERY well cared for, and every one on the VRC team made me feel comfortable and kept me posted on all that was happening with him. I would trust them with any dog of mine any time. Thank you so much for your top notch and genuine care of Ozzy and previous 3 beagles.

I wanted to update my review of CVRC since, unfortunately, due to IVDD and other issues, my dog has needed to be seen by CVRC specialists several times since my first review 2 years ago. Girlie has had THREE completely successful disc surgeries — all urgent, with amazing results amazing diagnosis and treatment of other non-​related issues, was treated for a bite from a foster dog, and I cannot imagine what would have happened to my gal if these talented, dedicated and resourced people were not here in Charleston. I have been treated with kindness and respect and CVRC has gone above and beyond for us. I recommend them so highly.

I cannot say enough good things about Oncologist, Dr. Kerry Rissetto, and her assistant, Suzanne.
My dobie, Dutch, was diagnosed with lymphoma. He was seen by Dr. Rissetto 1 to 2 times a week for 3 months. She was completely upfront about the process, truly cared about him, and easily accessible (even on a Saturday evening). When none of the chemo treatments could prevent the cancer, they came to my home to euthanize. He was comfortable (in his surroundings and with the people he knew) and in his own bed when he passed. That meant the world to me.
Why did CVRC get 4 stars? The reception staff did not have the same caring and concern. Dutch had weird reactions to the different chemo treatments. This prompted numerous phone calls seeking guidance. Spending over $ 6,500 in those 3 months trying to save my dog, the receptionists could have hid their annoyance at times.

When it is night or weekend, these are the veterinary pros to whom you can entrust your dog’s life. They cured mine of pancreatitis and pneumonia which he apparently got while in the care of someone else in the dog boarding business wnen my wife and I were in Scotland on vacation for 10 days. They are not cheap but the results are wonderful.

It’s a bad day for your pet if you have to go to this hospital, but that has nothing to do with the quality of care. I was referred here for my dog’s heart condition. Over several months of treatment, her condition worsened — as I had been prepared to expect. Throughout, I found the staff consistently available, informed, intelligent, and supportive. During some periods I was in nearly constant communication with the vet tech Michelle, and I could not have hoped for a more dedicated, informed and intelligent professional.
The only thing that kept me from giving this hospital a 5-​star rating is that when I took my dog there when she was in crisis, in what turned out to be the final moments of her life, I was separated from her and sent to a room where I had to wait for someone to come reunite me with my dying dog. She’d had a cardiac event on the floor of the clinic in the very few moments we waited to be called. Immediately she was taken to the back, and I was taken to a consulting room. I knew my dog was dying. The last thing I wanted was for her to be without her person when she was obviously in extraordinary pain and dying. I had to beg to be reunited with Twisby. It should never have taken that long for them to understand our collective needs. It was an emergency, I know, and everyone had to make quick decisions. Ultimately we were brought together before her death.
In spite of that terrible five minutes, overall my experience with this hospital was superb. The quality of care is exceptional. They were entirely respectful of my wishes concerning her body, and handled both me and my dear friend with dignity and respect.
This is a fine hospital. I hope you never need it, but if you do, you can be confident that your best friend is in the best hands.