South Asheville Veterinary Emergency & Specialty

Too quick to push for major surgery before even taking mri

This place needs a deep internal investigation asap.

*Notice the staff only answers 5-star feedback and ignores negative comments. Great way to handle business 👍

I’m incredibly grateful for the care my cat received at SAVES.

I brought my cat from another emergency practice in Tennessee that was closing overnight, as I felt he needed monitoring at a 24-hour hospital due to a urinary obstruction. I called ahead, confirmed that his records had been sent, and when I arrived, they were already expecting us.

I spoke with the doctor right away (Dr. Wedig), who clearly explained the treatment options and the need for hospitalization and extended catheter placement. I was extremely distraught at the time, and the entire team met that energy with compassion and calm reassurance. I also shared my concern about avoiding opioid sedatives due to a suspected link to the obstruction, and they were very open and respectful of that discussion.

During his two-and-a-half-day hospitalization, I received daily calls from the doctor. When I called for updates myself, I was always able to get timely and helpful information. My cat was released promptly once appropriate, and I’m deeply thankful for the care that helped him recover.

I hope I won’t need emergency care again, but if I do, I would not hesitate to return here.

Thank you Dr. Emma King for taking care of Yuri when she may or may not have eaten an eyeball from a stuffed animal.

It was overall a great experience. I waited a very short time in the waiting room before being called back, and had a very short wait in the exam room before seeing the vet. He was personable, knowledgable and patient in explaining all the issues we were facing. The only downside was seeing the ~$5500 estimate for all the tests and such. It was so far beyond what I ever imagined. Lucky for me, I got out of there that day for only $1500, which was still the top end of what I was expecting. I'm hoping there won't be much more testing required. What's the solution? Perhaps more awareness of and compassion for the impact of the expense and offering some counseling on how to bring that expense down.

It isn't worth the time to say in detail how little the Drs care about your animal. We have dealt with their claims and legal department and it was deemed that they carried on the standard of care. Due to increasing financial costs after procedures, we were not able to keep the $250 appointment with the IM specialist so we rescheduled.
After an ultrasound, a CT, and a biopsy (over 9k in services), Saves ended services abruptly with me and my fiance and allowed our 4 yr old cavapoo to suffer (due to the reschedule) until we were able to find a new veterinarian. Dr. Sharon Finster called us after 9 pm on Dec 30th to basically say that there is nothing more they can do for our animal since we cancelled the appointment. We had to fight her for basic maintenance and pain medication as he was still recovering from the surgery (which he received no post op care for).
She withheld medication and life saving treatment over $250. There standard of care at Saves is driven by how much money you are willing to spend until you can't anymore.
After a month of procedures, delays and run around, we were able to get Koda to a vet that recommended a basic steroid which helped but ultimately could not turn his prognosis around.
Koda passed and is at peace now.
My only hope with this review is that people do more research before settling on SAVES. Your animal might still cross the rainbow bridge, but there are less painful and expensive ways to get there.

Taking your fur baby to the vet is never an easy thing. I have terrible anxiety when it comes to my dogs and Dr. Emma King + staff were amazing when handling my puppy and I during an emergency visit. Not that one plans to go to the emergency vet often but I will definitely be coming back here if needed and I recommend them to anyone.

Happy to recommend. Friendly office staff. Facilities comfortable. Able to fit me in when request day..and knowing they offer emergency service after hours is a plus. DOCTOR and assistants take good time with you and the patient designing the plan of medical action.

Great experience from the front end to the doctors and staff in the back . Very caring

Everyone we encountered at SAVES was professional and compassionate. Our regular vet referred us to evaluate a possible acl tear in our pup, Archie. Dr. Mezzles was thorough and explained everything very well. We felt very comfortable and so did Archie!