South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care

04/23/2025

🌟 Celebrating our CSRs during Veterinary Receptionist Week 🌟

If laughter is the best medicine, then Chanada might just be the cure for any stressful day! 😄✨

Chanada has a gift for making people feel instantly at ease. Her infectious laughter, quick wit, and genuinely personable attitude create an atmosphere of warmth —no matter how tense the moment may be.

Need a good joke? Just hang out with Chanada for five minutes—you’ll leave smiling, guaranteed. Her ability to connect with people and lighten the mood is something truly special, and we’re so lucky to have her on our team. 💛

Thanks for bringing joy (and the laughs!) to work Chanada!

04/23/2025

This week we are celebrating the unsung heroes of veterinary medicine - our client service representatives!

Today we'd like to introduce you to Caitlin, one of our long-time Customer Service Rockstars! 🙌

Caitlin has seen it all—day shifts, overnight shifts—you name it. Her compassion, calm presence, and dedication to helping others make her a true cornerstone of our team. 💛 Whether it’s the middle of the afternoon or the middle of the night, Caitlin is there to answer the call, provide answers to your questions, and help you get the care you need for your pet. Thank you Caitlin!

04/22/2025

🌟 Celebrating our CSRs during Veterinary Receptionist Week🌟

Say hello to Mikayla—our resident creative soul and all-around joy to work with! 🎨💫

From stunning artwork to fun animations, Mikayla brings her creative magic to everything she touches. But she’s not just about the visuals—she also plays a key role behind the scenes with many administrative tasks, helping to keep everything running smoothly and efficiently. 💻🧾

She keeps us running efficiently during our swing shift, so if you give us a call during those in-between hours, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted by her friendly, reassuring voice. 📞✨

Whether she’s helping our clients on the phone or in the lobby, designing something beautiful, keeping our numbers in check, or just brightening the team’s day with her kind energy, Mikayla is truly a star.

Thank you for everything you do, Mikayla—you make a big difference!

04/21/2025

🌟Celebrating Veterinary Receptionist Week 🌟

Meet Kristen, one of our longtime Specialty CSRs and a true gem on our team! 💎

Kristen works with our Internal Medicine department, and she’s absolutely AMAZING at what she does. Whether it’s helping clients navigate long-term care plans for their fur babies or simply offering a reassuring voice during a tough time, Kristen brings empathy and expertise to every interaction. 🐾❤️

She has a knack for making clients feel right at home and is the go-to person for literally any question. Need info? Kristen’s got you. Need support? She’s already on it.

We’re beyond lucky to have her on our team—thank you for being you, Kristen! 💛

04/21/2025

🌟Celebrating our CSRs During Veterinary Receptionists Week 🌟

Let’s hear it for Kelsey—one of our lovely weekend overnight CSRs who keeps things running smoothly while the rest of the world sleeps! 🌙✨

Kelsey brings amazing energy to the night shift, always ready to help during those unpredictable weekend puppy and kitten emergencies. 🐶🐱 Whether it's a late-night concern or a sudden question, she’s got it covered with knowledge, calm, and care.

She keeps a sharp eye on everything happening overnight and plays a vital role in making sure our clients (and their fur babies) feel supported—no matter the hour. 💛

Please take a moment to show Kelsey some love—she’s an essential part of our overnight crew, one of our longest serving CSRs, and we appreciate her so much!

04/20/2025

🌟 In Honor of Veterinary Receptionists Week… 🌟

We’re excited to shine a spotlight on some of the incredible Client Service Representatives (CSRs) who help keep our hospital running smoothly every single day!

They are the calm voices on the phone, the warm smiles at the front desk, the organizers behind the scenes, and the compassionate listeners during some of the most emotional moments in veterinary care. 🐾💛

This week, we’re celebrating the amazing individuals who greet you, guide you, and support you through every step of your pet’s journey with us. Stay tuned as we highlight some of the wonderful humans who make such a difference in the lives of our clients, patients, and team.

Thank you, CSRs—you are the heartbeat of our practice! 💐

04/20/2025

🐰🌸 Keep Your Pets Safe This Easter! 🐾💖

Easter is full of fun, but some holiday treats can be dangerous for our furry friends! 🚨 Watch out for these common hazards:

❌ Chocolate – Toxic to both dogs and cats
❌ Lilies – Extremely poisonous to cats
❌ Easter Grass – Can cause intestinal blockages if ingested
❌ Raisins – Can lead to kidney failure in dogs
❌ Xylitol – A sweetener found in candies and baked goods that is highly toxic to pets

Keep these dangers out of paw’s reach and enjoy a safe, happy Easter with your pets! 🐶🐱💐 Remember, we are here 24/7 for any of your pet emergencies!

📞 Call us anytime!

04/10/2025

🦴✨ Welcome, Dr. Amanda Rathgeber! ✨🦴

We’re excited to welcome Dr. Amanda Rathgeber and her skilled team to SCVSEC! She is now accepting orthopedic surgery referrals, including TPLO, MPL repair, fracture repair, and more.

With over seven years of surgical experience, Dr. Rathgeber is passionate about helping pets move better and feel better.

📞 Call today to schedule a consultation or refer a patient!
📄 See her bio below to learn more about her surgical background and areas of expertise.



Amanda Rathgeber, DVM
Orthopedic Surgery

Dr. Rathgeber has been practicing veterinary surgery for over seven years, with a special interest in orthopedics. She finds great fulfillment in treating conditions such as tibial-plateau-leveling osteotomies (TPLO), medial patella luxation (MPL) repair, fracture repairs, hip dysplasia management, and osteoarthritis management.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Lander University in Greenwood, SC, before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Mississippi State University. Dr. Rathgeber then completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at Mississippi State University, followed by a specialized small animal surgery internship at VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital in Denver, CO. She further honed her expertise through a small animal surgery residency at the Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center in Levittown, PA.
Outside of work, Dr. Rathgeber enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, along with their beloved pets—Hagrid, their dog, and two cats, Stitch and Knuckles. A dedicated South Carolina Gamecocks fan, she can be found cheering them on year-round!

Maximizing your pet’s well-being is always our number one goal. With the combined expertise of our specialty and emergency departments, and working closely with your family veterinarian, SCVSEC delivers comprehensive, customized care your pet deserves.

04/08/2025

🎉 Join us in welcoming Dr. Ashley Barton to SCVSEC! 🎉

Dr. Barton and her incredible team are now seeing patients for Rehabilitation & Pain Management! From therapeutic exercises to advanced pain relief techniques, she’s here to help your pets feel their best. 💪🐾

📞 Give us a call today to schedule your pet’s appointment—we can’t wait for you to meet her!

📄 See her bio below to learn more about her impressive background and expertise.



Ashley Barton, DVM, DACVAA, CVA, CCRP
Rehabilitation, anesthesiology, and pain management

Dr. Ashley Barton specializes in high-risk anesthesia, providing expert care and supervision for patients undergoing surgery with conditions such as heart disease, respiratory disease, metabolic and endocrine disorders, or a history of anesthetic complications.
Her veterinary interests include loco-regional anesthesia, osteoarthritis management, degenerative joint disease, spinal disorders, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and therapeutic pain management techniques. She is highly skilled in advanced modalities such as therapeutic epidurals, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), therapeutic ultrasound, low-level laser therapy, aqua therapy, and customized therapeutic exercises.
Dr. Barton earned her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the University of Maryland before obtaining her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Kansas State University. She then completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center, followed by a residency in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia at Cornell University.
She is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia (ACVAA), a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist through the Chi Institute in Reddick, FL, and a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner through the University of Tennessee.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Barton enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs and riding and competing with her horse, Finn.

Maximizing your pet’s well-being is always our number one goal. With the combined expertise of our specialty and emergency departments, and working closely with your family veterinarian, SCVSEC delivers comprehensive, customized care your pet deserves.

03/25/2025

Do you know what breed of cat this is? Answer in the comments!

03/20/2025

📢 We’re Open and Accepting Referrals!

We want to clarify any confusion — we are fully open and continuing to provide expert care in internal medicine, oncology, critical care, and emergency services.

✅ Accepting new referrals
✅ Emergency department open 24/7
✅ Fully staffed and operating as usual

If you’ve had trouble sending referrals through our website, we’re aware of the issue and working to resolve it quickly. In the meantime, please contact us directly for any referral needs.

We value our referring partners and look forward to continuing to care for your patients! ❤️

03/19/2025

Expert Oncology Care with Dr. Ross

We’re proud to have Dr. Ross providing specialized oncology care for your pets and patients.

✅ Expert cancer diagnosis and treatment tailored to each patient
✅ Offering phone consultations for clients with a prior pet diagnosis
✅ Working closely with referring veterinarians to ensure seamless care and communication

Whether you’re a pet owner seeking guidance or a referring veterinarian looking for trusted support, Dr. Ross is here to help every step of the way. ❤️

03/19/2025

Do you know what this breed of dog is? Answer in the comments!

03/17/2025

Specialized Internal Medicine with Dr. Mabry

We’re pleased to have Dr. Mabry providing expert internal medicine care for your pets and patients.

✅ Comprehensive internal medicine services, including:

Endocrinology (diabetes, thyroid disorders)
Gastroenterology (GI diseases, chronic vomiting/diarrhea)
Nephrology (kidney disease)
Respiratory conditions
Immune-mediated diseases
✅ Offering radioactive iodine therapy for hyperthyroid cats
✅ Partnering with referring veterinarians to ensure seamless care and communication

Whether you’re a pet owner seeking expert care or a referring veterinarian looking for trusted support, Dr. Mabry is here to help every step of the way. ❤️