First let me say that I am a board certified physician with over 17 years of emergency medicine experience. That being said, I am not a vet, but I have never encountered such callous and uncaring staff as I had at the CVS and Emergency Care Steele Creek location, and sepecifically with Jennifer Merlo, DVM. We had contacted our personal vet for many years, Dr Jay Chambers, DVM, when we had obtained a new diagnosis of probable metastatic lung cancer vs possible acute fungal pneumonia on our previously healthy and vigorous 9 year old dog while were traveling out of state. We drove directly back to Charlotte, and to CVS with the specific advice and intent that we would be able to receive a quicker diagnosis and management of his care. Our dog was referred to the internist by Dr Chambers and scheduled for an appointment 11 days out, but in the interim, he became worse, with an increase in his cough, loss of appetite and virtually no oral intake in 2 days. We brought him to the Emergency clinic after calling ahead and discussing his symptoms with the staff to ask if this was what we should do, and obtaining the recommendation to do so. Upon arrival, we found the clinic restricting ANYONE (even owners of Emergency patients) from entering the facility, even if masked, despite the fact that others clinics in the area, both vet and human, had found ways to accommodate family/owners in some way to make for a more humane experience in a stressful situation. When I asked as to why not even one person could come in with my critical pet, I was told (incorrectly) that it was 'required by the CDC that no one be allowed to enter the facility'. Apparently, that was a big mistake on my part to question their authority. After roughly taking my ailing dog into the facility alone, Dr Merlo later called me on the phone in the parking lot to tell me that my dog was "fine' and that she didnt understand why I brought him to an emergency clinic in the first place. She basically implied that I was wasting her time, and that I should just wait another 8 days for my scheduled appt. When I questioned her regarding medical options, such as subcutaneous hydration for him instead of IV, or an appetite stimulant and she realized that I had a medical background, she became even more defensive and argumentative. She stated that the only option she had for me was to admit him to the hospital for IV hydration 'if thats what you want', and keep him there to see the internist the next day for testing. Of course, throughout that time, we would not be allowed into the facility to see our pet. We chose to take our dog home with us, and pursue other care. What ultimately happened was that a friend of ours was able to contact their vet who graciously worked our dog into be seen in their very busy practice in Bessemer City, where he found our dog to be dehydrated, tachypnic, and had lost 6.5 lb since being seen at CVS 48hrs prior. He gave him a sq fluid bolus, antiemetic injection, and placed him on antifungal meds, an appetite stimulant, prednisone, and tramadol for pain and cough. Our dog almost immediately rallied and had an amazing improvement, and, although I know that this treatment is only palliative, we have been able to stabilize him and improve the quality of his life for a few more weeks, possibly a month. I could not be more thankful for the loving care and attention that they showed us at The Pet Hospital in Bessemer City. I will, however, never take another pet to the Emergency Care facility at Steele Creek.