This CVCA location is closed today due to inclement weather. If you have an appointment scheduled for today, our team will reach out to you to reschedule.
Driving Directions
Find Our Office
Located Inside:
Veterinary Referral Associates
500 Perry Parkway
Gaithersburg, MD 20877
(240) 361-3820
cvcagaithersburg@cvcavets.com
Appointment Scheduling
Make An Appointment
For Patient Families
Scheduling an appointment is easy:
- Sign up for our patient portal and choose your preferred time
- Our staff will call you to confirm your appointment time
- For urgent cases, please call (240)-361-3820
For Primary Care Veterinarians
Referring a patient is easy:
- Complete our referral form
- We will contact the owner to set up a convenient appointment
CVCA Cardio Pharmacy
Get Your Pet’s Meds
Easily get the medications your veterinary cardiologist prescribed for your pet through the CVCA Pharmacy. Medications can be ordered online and sent directly to your address.
What To Expect
Plan Your Visit
CVCA makes the experience for you and your pet easy and stress-free.
Prior to Appointment
01. Prior to Appointment
- Complete an appointment registration form within a week of the date of your appointment (to ensure we have the most accurate information).
- Most of the time, records can be faxed to us from your primary care veterinarian prior to your appointment.
- Please bring along a list of all medication strengths and dosages or the pill vials. You may follow your normal routine for medications and feeding that day, unless it has been arranged in advance that your pet will need to be sedated for the procedure (very few patients require sedation).
- If your pet has had any X-Rays taken recently, please bring those with you as well, as they cannot be faxed.
Appointment Check-In
02. Appointment Check-In
- CVCA will verify we have a completed appointment registration form on file for your pet.
- For returning clients, CVCA will take a few moments to confirm your contact information.
Physical Exam
03. Physical Exam
- A blood pressure reading may be performed by CVCA staff, depending on the age of your pet and his or her medications.
- The board-certified cardiologist or cardiology resident will perform a focused cardiac examination on your pet. Under most circumstances, owners will stay with their pets during the appointment.
Echocardiogram
04. Echocardiogram
- We will get an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) of your pet. The echocardiogram is not painful and takes about 15-25 minutes in most cases.
- The doctor will explain the echocardiogram as it is being performed and then further discuss the findings after the echo is completed. (Due to our doctor’s expertise and the latest level of technology with our equipment, the echocardiogram gives us valuable information on the location, type, and severity of heart disease.)
- The exam involves your pet lying down on a table, with you present for comfort, and an ultrasound probe is placed on the chest against the heart through a hole in the table.
Pro Tip: Very large dogs or patients with respiratory distress may have the procedure performed standing or sitting if they are more comfortable.
Completion of the Exam
05. Completion of the Exam
- You will be given a printed visit summary with the diagnosis, treatment recommendations and follow up care.
- A full report will be forwarded to your primary care veterinarian the same day.
- After your appointment, we welcome progress reports, questions and concerns at any time.
- We maintain an ongoing relationship with your primary care veterinarian to ensure the best care for your pet.
Pro Tip: Make a 6-month recheck appointment before you leave. This ensures you schedule an appointment that is convenient to you. Our schedules can book far in advance.
Informational Video
Experience An Exam
FAQ
Get The Facts
Here are a few of the typical questions, with answers, that you may have about your upcoming appointment.
Can I be with my pet during the cardiac exam?
How long is a typical CVCA appointment?
Will the doctor have a treatment plan for me?
What happens after the appointment?
How does my primary care veterinarian know what is going on with my pet's cardiac care?
My pet really doesn’t like visiting a doctor. What can be done to reduce their anxiety?
What is an echocardiogram?
Payment Flexibility
Pay Your Way
We offer many options to flexibly pay for our cardiology services, including CareCredit and Scratchpay for qualified applicants – ask a CVCA team member for more information.
Tip: Applying for 2-3x the appointment estimate can defray unexpected costs
Tip: Scratchpay offers an “Interest-free” Take 5 plan – break your bill into 5 easy payments
Testimonials
Hear Their Stories
