What to Know Before Your First Visit to Kentlands Veterinary Hospital

Before your first appointment at Kentlands Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg, MD, plan to book ahead by phone at (301) 519-7944 or through the online booking option, then review the hospital's "Your First Visit" and "Patient Forms" pages so you arrive with the right information and paperwork. The hospital has served the Gaithersburg community since 1997 and is AAHA-accredited, so its first-visit process is built around a full medical history and a thorough initial exam. The exact forms, fees, and visit length are not published on the site, so confirm those details with the front desk when you book.

Step 1: Book the appointment and state the reason

Call (301) 519-7944 or use the "Book Appointment" link on the site. When you book, tell the team whether the visit is for:

• A routine wellness or preventive check
• A specific concern (lameness, pain, illness)
• A follow-up or rehabilitation service
• An urgent-care need

This matters because the hospital separates routine care, testing and diagnostics, advanced care, rehabilitation, surgery, and urgent care. Naming the reason up front helps the team schedule the right type and length of visit.

Step 2: Prepare your pet's history and records

The site lists "Your First Visit" and "Patient Forms" under Patient Resources, which signals that new clients are expected to supply background information before or at the exam. Bring or send:

• Prior veterinary records, including vaccination dates
• A list of current medications, supplements, and food
• Notes on symptoms, timing, and anything that changed recently
• Breed, age, and any known chronic conditions

If your pet was seen at another clinic, request that records be forwarded before the visit so the exam time goes toward the pet rather than paperwork.

Step 3: Check coverage and payment expectations

The hospital publishes an "Insurance & Payments" page, so review it before you arrive if you plan to use pet insurance or want to understand payment handling. The site does not list prices or confirm which payment methods are accepted, so ask about costs for the specific service when you book rather than assuming anything is included or free.

Step 4: Know what the first exam covers

A first visit at a full-service hospital like this one typically establishes a baseline: physical exam, weight, history review, and recommendations for vaccines, screening, or diagnostics. Kentlands offers wellness and prevention, testing and diagnostics, advanced care, surgery, urgent care, and rehabilitation — including shockwave therapy for dogs with lameness and pain, plus acupuncture, chiropractic care, herbal therapy, and end-of-life care. Ask during booking which of these apply to your pet's situation so the appointment is scoped correctly.

Step 5: Use the patient tools after the visit

The site provides a Pet Portal, online food and medication ordering, a blog with pet health tips, and a promotions page. Setting up the portal after your first visit gives you a place to track records and reorder prescriptions. Check the Promotions page separately if cost matters to you; the site does not state that any discount applies automatically.

Quick pre-visit checklist

Common sticking points

• Assuming walk-ins are fine. The site promotes booking and lists urgent care as a service, but does not state walk-in policy — call first for anything urgent.
• Arriving without records. Without prior history, the first exam may need to focus on gathering basics, which can extend or split the visit.
• Expecting published prices. No pricing is listed; get a quote for your pet's specific service when you schedule.
• Overlooking the AAHA context. Accreditation means the hospital is evaluated against standards covering surgery, exam facilities, patient care, cleanliness, client service, emergency services, diagnostic imaging, and anesthesiology — useful to know, but it does not tell you what your individual visit will cost or include.