Birchwood Veterinary Hospital

01/22/2025

UPDATE Wednesday 1/22/25: For the safety of our staff we will remain closed today as DOT will not be clearing side roads today and road conditions will most likely remain hazardous.

Due to inclement weather and for the safety of our out of town staff we will be opening late (or possibly stay closed) due to road conditions in Lexington and neighboring counties on Wednesday 1/22/2025. All surgeries scheduled for that day have been cancelled. If you have an appointment scheduled or are picking up medications please call 1st for availability. If your call goes to voicemail and we do not return your call shortly then our staff has been unable to come in to the clinic. We apologize forSouth Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency CarenCVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and SpecialtyCVETS at 803-995-8913.
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty

01/10/2025

For the safety of our staff and clients Birchwood Veterinary Hospital will be closing early Friday, January 10th, 2025, at noon due to icy weather and roads.
If you have an emergency with your pet, please call SCVSEC at 803-561-0015 or CVETS at 803-995-8913.
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty

01/09/2025

Did you know that a popular hairloss/hair regrowth medication is toxic to pets? A single drop or lick of Minoxidil could kill your cat. Toxicities have also been reported in dogs.
https://news.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=210&Id=10524512&f5=1

01/01/2025

As of January 2nd, 2025, we are welcoming clients back into our building.
All technician services (blood draws, lab sample collection, nail trims, a**l sac expressions, etc.) will be performed away from the client in the treatment area and then the pet will be brought back to their owners in the exam room or reception area. Dr. Murphy will do the pets' exams with the owners present in the exam rooms.
Curbside service is still an option. For clients who prefer not to come inside we will continue to offer curbside service.
Curbside service is also a convenient option for prescription and food pick-up, technician appointments, clients who work remotely, parents with young or sick children, etc.
Whether or not you plan to come inside with your pet for your appointment, we ask that you call (803)359-0700 when you arrive in our parking lot.
For the safety of our staff and other clients, if you are sick or test positive for COVID-19 or other infectious agent (i.e. flu, noravirus, etc.), or if you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we ask that you stay home. Please call Birchwood Veterinary Hospital at (803)359-0700 to reschedule your appointment.
- Mike Murphy, DVM

12/24/2024

Birchwood Veterinary Hospital will be closed Tuesday December 24th (Christmas Eve), Wednesday December 25th (Christmas), and also Tuesday December 31st (New Years Eve), Wednesday January 1st (New Year's Day), so that our staff can enjoy time with their families.
We wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
If you have an emergency with your pet, please call SCVSEC at 803-561-0015 or CVETS at 803-995-8913.
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty

12/24/2024

Information on how to prevent highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection in cats.
Currently there is no vaccine against avian influenza for cats and dogs.
https://www.dvm360.com/view/fda-releases-guidance-to-prevent-bird-flu-risk-in-cats?ekey=RUtJRDpDNjk0QTI0MS03QUVDLTQ4MDctODYxRS04MDdDNjY2MzhCREQ%3D&utm_campaign=emailname&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8AsKN5PSVfraHhqofxp7E4fL1qj6ZZMAn2emqAbKBxQ3_R4_CAQO0YGwFISIks7CPm7vKcYy8xR9s1qYmghCsYJJmlZg&_hsmi=339896595&utm_source=hs

12/11/2024

https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/sc-news/2024-11-22/clemson-breaks-ground-on-south-carolinas-first-veterinary-school

South Carolina is one of 22 states without a vet school, a gap in the state's college education system that project advocates said forced students to study elsewhere as the state deals with a veterinarian shortage.

12/06/2024

We knew orange cats were special!

After 60 years, scientists know why gingers, calicos, and tortoiseshells look the way they do

11/25/2024

Our office will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday beginning Wednesday, November 27th, after 2:30pm and we will reopen Monday, December 2nd, at 8:00am. We wish you, your families, and your pets a happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
If you have an after hours emergency please call CVETS 803-995-8913 or SCVSEC 803-561-0015.
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care

11/20/2024

https://www.dvm360.com/view/holiday-warnings-for-pet-owners?ekey=RUtJRDpDNjk0QTI0MS03QUVDLTQ4MDctODYxRS04MDdDNjY2MzhCREQ%3D&utm_campaign=emailname&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9tLS5G9lFO6vvp5AnFhK6-phJl7_HWau9Ua34js3QqnN28GVNga7_cRRHi5zDIg12RhBK1JBvVVR_S9MQEp_wQrXA5LA&_hsmi=334523334&utm_source=hs

Help clients and patients have a happy and healthy holiday season by warning them of these not-so-jolly toxins

11/05/2024

Birchwood Veterinary Hospital has closed early today to allow all of our staff to vote.
If you have an afterhours emergency please call SCVSEC 803-561-0015 or CVETS 803-995-8913.
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty

10/18/2024

Birchwood Veterinary Hospital will be closing early at 5:00pm Friday, October 18th, 2024.
Dr. Murphy will be out of the office on Friday after 12:00 noon for continuing education. He will be back in the office on Monday, October 21st.
Technicians and assistants will be available until 5pm to answer phone calls, schedule future appointments, etc.
On Friday afternoon technicians will be able to provide only those services allowed by the South Carolina Veterinary Practice Act.
For emergencies, please contact:
CVETS 803-995-8913
SCVSEC 803-561-0015
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care

08/24/2024

Birchwood Veterinary Hospital will be closed for Labor Day Monday, September 2nd, 2024.
Dr. Murphy will then be out of the office from Tuesday, September 3rd, through Friday, September 6th.
Birchwood Veterinary Hospital will be staffed but have no doctors hours during those dates Tuesday through Friday.
Tuesday and Thursday will be open 8am-3pm. Wednesday and Friday we will be open 8am-5pm.
We will be staffed to answer phone calls and any needed questions.
Please pick up any needed new prescriptions prior to Labor Day.
Due to South Carolina licensing laws our assistants and licensed technicians are unable to vaccinate any pets or issue new prescriptions without Dr. Murphy present.
The technicians are able to do some laboratory tests that are within the scope of the veterinary practice act and are able to do some limited phone consultations with Dr. Murphy at limited times.
Thank you for your understanding.
*****
For emergencies, please contact:
CVETS 803-995-8913
SCVSEC 803-561-0015
CVETS Columbia Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty
South Carolina Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Care