Pet emergencies can happen at any time, late at night, on weekends, during holidays, or even while you’re away from home. Whether your dog has eaten something toxic, your cat is having difficulty breathing, your pet has been injured, or they suddenly become seriously ill, knowing where to go before an emergency occurs can save valuable time when every second counts.
While your primary veterinarian is always the best choice for routine care, most clinics are closed after business hours. Having a plan in place and knowing the location of the nearest emergency veterinary hospital can help reduce stress and ensure your pet receives prompt medical attention when they need it most.
At Cuddly Critters Pet Sitting, we encourage every pet owner to create an emergency plan. If you’re away from home, make sure your pet sitter knows your preferred emergency veterinarian, has authorization to seek treatment if needed, and has access to your pet’s medical history through your Time To Pet profile.
When Should You Go to an Emergency Vet?
If your pet experiences any of the following symptoms, don’t wait for your regular veterinarian to open:
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe bleeding or trauma
- Hit by a vehicle
- Collapse or loss of consciousness
- Seizures
- Suspected poisoning
- Ingestion of medications, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, lilies, or other toxins
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, especially with blood
- Trouble urinating or inability to urinate
- Heatstroke
- Snake bites
- Eye injuries
- Broken bones or inability to stand
- Severe allergic reactions or facial swelling
If you’re ever unsure, call an emergency veterinary hospital. They can help determine whether your pet should be seen immediately.
Emergency Veterinary Hospitals Near Greenville
Below are several emergency and specialty hospitals that serve Greenville and the surrounding Upstate.
- Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) – Greenville
- Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Walk-ins are welcome—no appointment required.
- Provides emergency surgery, diagnostics, imaging, hospitalization, and care for many exotic pets.
- One unique feature is that pet parents are encouraged to stay with their pets throughout much of the treatment process whenever possible.
- Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Centers – Greenville
- Open 24/7.
- Offers emergency care plus access to board-certified specialists in surgery, oncology, cardiology, neurology, internal medicine, and more.
- Often accepts referrals from primary veterinarians for advanced care.
- Upstate Vet Emergency & Specialty Care – Greenville
- Provides emergency care daily with extended evening hours, along with specialty veterinary services.
- No appointment is needed for emergency visits.
- Equipped to treat trauma, poisoning, breathing emergencies, seizures, and other life-threatening conditions.
- Oasis Animal Hospital & Emergency Center – Mauldin/Greenville
- Offers extended evening and weekend emergency services.
- A convenient option for urgent illnesses and injuries when your family veterinarian is closed.
- Creature Comforts Animal Emergency Center – Inman, SC
- Provides after-hours emergency care for pets in the Upstate.
- A good option for families in Spartanburg County and northeastern Greenville County.
Be Prepared Before an Emergency
Every pet owner should keep these items readily available:
- Your primary veterinarian’s phone number
- Your preferred emergency veterinary hospital
- Current medications and medical conditions
- Vaccination records
- Microchip information
- Pet insurance details (if applicable)
- Emergency contact information
- A secure leash or carrier ready for transport
If you travel frequently, make sure your pet sitter knows exactly where you would like your pet taken in an emergency.
How Cuddly Critters Pet Sitting Helps
When you’re away, emergencies can be even more stressful. That’s why Cuddly Critters Pet Sitting keeps your veterinarian’s information, emergency contacts, and care instructions securely stored in your Time To Pet profile. If a medical emergency arises during a pet sit, our trained pet sitters follow your emergency instructions and communicate with you every step of the way while ensuring your pet receives the care they need.
Planning ahead provides peace of mind for both you and your pets. emergency instructions, and transport your pet for veterinary care if necessary. While we hope you never need these resources, having a plan in place provides peace of mind for both you and your pets.
