Veterinary Guide · Gaithersburg MD · Pet Owner Contact
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital contact guide for appointments, vet care, exotic pets, boarding, payments, records, and emergency referrals
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital is located at 7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Pet owners can call 301-977-1881 or email bestfriendsvh@gmail.com for appointments, questions, records, refills, and visit planning.
The hospital provides care for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, pocket pets, and other exotic pets. Use this page to confirm hours, book the right visit type, prepare records, understand services, plan boarding, check payment options, and know when to use a 24/7 emergency hospital instead.
Pet emergency? Call Best Friends Veterinary Hospital first during open hours so staff can guide arrival. For severe after-hours emergencies, use a dedicated emergency hospital. The clinic lists VRA at 301-926-3300, Metropolitan Animal Emergency and Specialty Center at 301-770-5225, Exotics/Pender at 703-654-3100, and Exotics/Stahl at 703-281-3750.
Clinic address
7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H
Gaithersburg, MD 20879.
Main phone
301-977-1881
Use for appointments, same-day requests, drop-off questions, records, refills, and urgent triage during open hours.
Email
bestfriendsvh@gmail.com
Use for non-emergency questions, records follow-up, and written visit requests.
Hours
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 8–6
Wednesday closed. Saturday 8:00 am–12:00 pm. Sunday closed. Confirm holiday hours before visiting.
Pets served
Dogs, cats & exotics
Care is listed for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets, and small mammals.
Visit type
Appointment-based
The clinic says pet owners can call during business hours or use online scheduling, with same-day and drop-off appointments offered for convenience.
About Best Friends Veterinary Hospital in Gaithersburg
A practical guide for pet owners who need verified contact details and visit planning before calling or booking online.
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital serves pet owners in Gaithersburg and nearby Montgomery County communities. The clinic describes its care as preventive, diagnostic, dental, surgical, exotic-pet, boarding, day-care, nutrition, bathing, behavior, puppy, and kitten support.
Because veterinary schedules, doctor availability, appointment openings, boarding rules, and emergency referral guidance can change, use this guide as a planning tool and confirm time-sensitive details directly with the hospital before driving in.
Best first action: Call 301-977-1881 if your pet is sick, injured, not eating, vomiting repeatedly, breathing abnormally, having seizures, bleeding, unable to urinate, or acting suddenly weak. Online scheduling is better for routine wellness and non-urgent requests.
Official Best Friends Veterinary Hospital links and what to do after each opens
Use these official pages before relying on search snippets, map listings, or old third-party directory pages.
Official contact page
- Confirm phone, email, address, hours, and emergency referral numbers.
- Use the contact form only for non-emergency messages.
- Call instead if your pet needs urgent same-day guidance.
Veterinary services
- Review dental care, exotic pet care, boarding, puppy/kitten care, nutrition, bathing, surgery, and behavior consultation.
- Choose the service closest to your pet’s issue.
- Call if your pet has symptoms that may need urgent triage.
Appointment request
Start from official booking area
- Use online scheduling for routine visits when available.
- For same-day or drop-off appointments, call the clinic.
- Describe symptoms clearly before selecting a routine appointment slot.
Online forms
- Complete new client, new pet, or visit forms before arrival if available.
- Use the same owner name and phone number you gave the clinic.
- Do not send urgent medical details only through a form.
Payment options
- Review cards, cash, CareCredit, and pet insurance claim support.
- Ask for an estimate before surgery, hospitalization, dental work, or diagnostics.
- Confirm current policy before checkout because payment terms can change.
Online pharmacy
- Use for approved prescription refills, diets, preventives, and pet essentials.
- Request refills early so a veterinarian can authorize them.
- Call if your pet is out of a critical medication.
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital contact information and hours
Use the right contact route based on urgency, visit type, and whether you need a record, refill, boarding stay, or emergency referral.
| Contact need | Phone or route | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| Main reception | 301-977-1881 | Appointments, same-day requests, drop-off questions, records, invoices, refills, boarding, and general clinic questions. |
| bestfriendsvh@gmail.com | Non-emergency follow-up, written records requests, vaccine certificate questions, and administrative messages. | |
| Clinic address | 7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 | Use for appointment arrival, parking, pickup, boarding drop-off, and map directions. |
| Regular hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00 am–6:00 pm | Best days for routine appointments, sick visits, records, refills, and pickup questions. |
| Closed weekday | Wednesday: Closed | Do not plan walk-in questions or pickup without prior confirmation. |
| Weekend hours | Saturday: 8:00 am–12:00 pm; Sunday: Closed | Call early for Saturday appointments, urgent questions, food pickup, or medication pickup. |
Holiday note: Hours can change for holidays, staff training, weather, or doctor availability. Always call before visiting if your trip depends on exact open hours.
How to book an appointment at Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
Choose the booking route based on whether your pet needs routine care, same-day attention, boarding, surgery, or exotic pet support.
Decide if the visit is routine or urgent.
Routine wellness, vaccines, nail trims, dental consults, puppy or kitten visits, nutrition questions, and follow-ups can usually be scheduled normally. Breathing trouble, collapse, seizures, severe pain, toxin exposure, repeated vomiting, bleeding, or inability to urinate needs urgent phone triage.
Call or use the official appointment request route.
Call 301-977-1881 during business hours or use the online booking links shown on the official website.
Give complete pet details.
Provide species, age, sex, breed, symptoms, current medications, vaccine status, appetite, energy level, and whether your pet has seen another veterinarian recently.
Ask about same-day or drop-off availability.
The clinic states that same-day and drop-off appointments are offered for convenience, but availability should be confirmed by phone.
Send records before the visit.
New clients should request previous veterinary records, vaccine history, lab results, X-rays, prescription details, and specialist notes before the appointment.
Arrive prepared.
Bring your pet in a carrier or on a secure leash, carry medication bottles or photos, and bring a fresh stool sample if the clinic requested one.
Best phone script: “My pet is a ____. They are ____ years old. The problem started ____. Symptoms include ____. They are eating/drinking ____. Current medications are ____. Do you recommend a same-day visit, drop-off appointment, regular appointment, or emergency hospital?”
Emergency and urgent-care routing
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital lists emergency referral contacts for urgent medical situations. Use them when the clinic is closed or your pet needs emergency-level care.
| Situation | Best action | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening symptoms during clinic hours | Call 301-977-1881 immediately before arrival. | The team can advise whether to come in, go directly to ER, or prepare for urgent intake. |
| After-hours emergency | Use a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital listed by the clinic or the nearest available ER. | General practices are not always equipped or staffed for overnight critical care. |
| Exotic pet crisis | Call an exotic-capable emergency referral, such as Exotics/Pender or Exotics/Stahl, if listed and available. | Birds, reptiles, rabbits, and small mammals may need species-specific emergency handling. |
| Possible poisoning | Call an emergency vet or animal poison hotline immediately and keep packaging or ingredient details. | Treatment timing matters for toxins, medications, plants, foods, and household chemicals. |
| Medication refill emergency | Call the clinic during open hours; if closed and the pet is unstable, call ER. | Some medications cannot be safely stopped, but refills may require doctor authorization. |
Go now warning: Difficulty breathing, blue or pale gums, severe bleeding, collapse, seizures, heatstroke, blocked urination, major trauma, toxin ingestion, repeated unproductive vomiting, or extreme pain should not wait for a routine appointment.
Veterinary services provided
The official services page lists several care areas. Call to confirm doctor availability, species coverage, pricing, and whether your pet needs a consult first.
| Service area | What it can include | Best time to call |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness and preventive care | Routine exams, vaccines, parasite prevention, health screening, lifestyle counseling, and annual care planning. | Before vaccines are due, before boarding, after adoption, or when your pet’s routine changes. |
| Diagnostics and treatment | Sick visits, lab work, imaging discussion, symptom evaluation, medication plans, and follow-up care. | When appetite, energy, urination, breathing, stool, vomiting, skin, eyes, ears, or behavior changes. |
| Pet dental care | Dental exams, cleanings, treatment for dental disease, oral surgery discussion, and home-care guidance. | For bad breath, loose teeth, drooling, chewing pain, facial swelling, or pre-anesthesia planning. |
| Surgical services | Spay/neuter, soft-tissue procedures, surgical consults, anesthesia planning, and recovery instructions. | When your veterinarian recommends surgery or you need an estimate and pre-op requirements. |
| Puppy and kitten care | Early exams, vaccine series, deworming, microchipping guidance, nutrition, behavior, and parasite prevention. | Soon after adoption or before introducing a new pet to other animals. |
| Exotic pet care | Bird, reptile, rabbit, ferret, pocket pet, and small mammal wellness or illness visits when available. | Before booking so staff can match the species to the right veterinarian and visit length. |
| Nutrition consultation | Diet selection, weight management, special diets, chronic-condition support, and feeding plans. | For obesity, allergies, GI problems, kidney/urinary issues, growth, or senior-pet needs. |
| Behavior consultation | Help with anxiety, aggression, house-training, stress, noise fear, handling concerns, or routine changes. | Before behavior problems become unsafe or disrupt medical care. |
| Bathing services | Professional bathing and coat support, especially for skin, hygiene, odor, or comfort needs. | Before boarding pickup, after skin diagnosis, or when medical bathing is recommended. |
| Boarding and day care | Veterinary-supervised boarding, day care, medication handling, special diets, and care for dogs, cats, and some exotic pets. | Before travel, holidays, surgery recovery, or when your pet has medical needs during boarding. |
Exotic pet care: birds, reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets, and small mammals
Exotic pets often hide illness, so small changes can matter. Always call before booking to confirm species coverage and urgency.
Call before scheduling
Tell the clinic the exact species, age, diet, enclosure setup, temperature, humidity, UVB setup if relevant, and symptoms.
Bring husbandry details
For reptiles, birds, rabbits, and small mammals, photos of housing, food, supplements, lighting, substrate, and droppings can help the veterinarian.
Use emergency referrals when needed
The clinic lists exotic emergency contacts. Use them if an exotic pet is weak, not eating, open-mouth breathing, bleeding, egg-bound, seizuring, or injured.
Transport safely
Use a secure carrier with proper temperature support. Do not overheat or chill birds, reptiles, rabbits, or pocket pets during travel.
Exotic pet warning: A rabbit, bird, reptile, ferret, guinea pig, hamster, or other small pet that stops eating or becomes weak can decline quickly. Call for triage instead of waiting several days.
Pet boarding and day care at Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
The clinic promotes veterinary-supervised boarding and day care. Confirm availability, vaccine rules, species coverage, feeding instructions, medications, and pickup windows before travel.
Reserve early.
Boarding space can fill quickly before weekends, holidays, school breaks, and summer travel.
Confirm vaccination requirements.
The boarding page lists up-to-date vaccinations and flea/tick prevention as pre-boarding requirements. Dogs may need rabies, distemper, and Bordetella.
Share medication and diet instructions.
Bring labeled medication, dosing times, prescription diets, feeding amount, allergies, and written care instructions.
Ask about medical boarding.
Veterinary-supervised boarding may help pets with chronic conditions, senior needs, or medication routines, but you should confirm suitability first.
Confirm pickup rules.
Ask about pickup appointments, after-hours limits, Saturday pickup, late fees, and what happens if travel is delayed.
Online forms, appointment tools, and pharmacy
Use digital tools for routine tasks, but call the hospital for urgent symptoms, same-day care, complex refills, or unclear instructions.
Online forms
Use the official online forms page for new client, new pet, visit, or intake forms when available. Complete forms before arrival to reduce check-in time.
Appointment tools
The official site links to online booking/request tools. Use them for routine visits, then watch for confirmation messages.
Online pharmacy
Use the Covetrus-powered pharmacy link for approved medications, prescription diets, preventives, and refill requests.
When to call instead
Call for urgent symptoms, same-day requests, controlled or urgent medications, surgery questions, boarding concerns, and pets that are rapidly worsening.
Medical records, vaccine certificates, and transfer requests
Accurate records help with boarding, grooming, travel, specialists, emergency care, insurance claims, and second opinions.
| Record need | What to ask for | Best route |
|---|---|---|
| Vaccine proof | Rabies certificate, Bordetella status, distemper/parvo or core vaccine history, and due dates. | Call, email, or use the portal/app route if active for your account. |
| Specialist referral | Exam notes, lab work, X-rays, imaging reports, medication list, diagnosis, and referral letter. | Ask the clinic to send records directly to the specialist or emergency hospital. |
| Pet insurance claim | Detailed invoice, medical notes, diagnosis, treatment plan, and proof of payment. | Request at checkout or by email after the visit. |
| Boarding or grooming proof | Current vaccine summary and parasite-prevention status if required. | Request before the boarding or grooming facility deadline. |
| Complete chart | Full record copy for all visits, labs, imaging, prescriptions, and vaccine history. | Call or email the clinic and allow staff time to prepare the file. |
Record request script: “I need my pet’s records for ____. My pet’s name is ____, owner name is ____, and phone number is ____. Please include vaccine history, invoices, lab results, imaging, medications, and doctor notes if available.”
Billing, payment options, estimates, CareCredit, and pet insurance
Ask for current payment policy before major diagnostics, surgery, dental care, boarding, or emergency treatment.
| Payment topic | Clinic guidance to confirm | Pet owner tip |
|---|---|---|
| Cards | The clinic payment page lists Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. | Bring the card you plan to use and ask whether deposits are required for larger procedures. |
| Cash | Cash is listed as a payment option. | Ask for a receipt and itemized invoice for your records. |
| CareCredit | CareCredit is listed as a financing option for approved applicants. | Apply or confirm available credit before surgery, dental work, or emergency treatment. |
| Pet insurance | The clinic says its team can assist claim submissions by providing detailed invoices and medical records. | Most pet insurance reimburses the owner after payment. Check your deductible, exclusions, and waiting periods. |
| Estimates | The payment page says the clinic provides cost estimates and detailed treatment plans before major procedures. | Ask what is included, what could change, and whether follow-up care or medications are separate. |
| Payment timing | The payment page states payment is required at the time of service. | Confirm total cost before discharge, pickup, or medication release. |
Estimate note: Veterinary estimates can change if exam findings, lab results, anesthesia needs, dental extractions, hospitalization, medications, or complications change the plan.
What to bring to your appointment
A little preparation helps the veterinary team make faster and safer decisions.
For dogs and cats
- Secure leash or carrier
- Vaccine history
- Current medications
- Food brand and treats
- Stool sample if requested
For exotic pets
- Secure species-safe carrier
- Photos of enclosure
- Diet and supplement list
- Temperature, humidity, and lighting details
- Recent droppings photo if relevant
For surgery or dental visits
- Fasting instructions
- Pre-op bloodwork status
- Medication instructions
- Estimate questions
- Pickup contact number
For boarding
- Vaccine proof
- Medication in original packaging
- Feeding instructions
- Emergency contact
- Pickup plan
Location, Google map, and arrival tips
Use the clinic address for directions and call if you are running late, have a reactive pet, or need help with safe entry.
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
Phone: 301-977-1881
Use 7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H, Gaithersburg, MD 20879 for navigation. Keep cats and small pets in secured carriers and dogs on a controlled leash in the parking area.
Arrival safety: If your pet is coughing, vomiting, has diarrhea, may have a contagious illness, is aggressive, or is very anxious, call from the parking lot before entering.
Official source checklist for Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
Use these official pages to verify details before an appointment, boarding stay, pharmacy order, or payment decision.
| Official source | What it verifies | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Best Friends Veterinary Hospital website | Clinic identity, core services, appointment links, team information, contact block, and emergency referral block. | Start here for general clinic overview. |
| Contact page | Phone, email, address, hours, same-day/drop-off appointment statement, and emergency referral numbers. | Use before calling, emailing, driving, or planning urgent care. |
| Services page | Dental, exotic, boarding/day care, puppy/kitten, client education, nutrition, bathing, surgery, and behavior services. | Use to choose the right appointment type. |
| Exotic pet care page | Exotic pet care for birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and small mammals. | Use before booking an exotic pet visit. |
| Boarding and day care page | Veterinary-supervised boarding, dog boarding, cat boarding, medical boarding, vaccination requirements, and pickup/drop-off planning. | Use before travel or boarding reservation. |
| Payment options page | Cards, cash, CareCredit, pet insurance support, estimates, and payment at time of service. | Use before procedures, diagnostics, dental care, or boarding checkout. |
| Online forms page | Digital forms and intake preparation for visits. | Use before first visits, new pet visits, or scheduled procedures. |
| Online pharmacy | Clinic-linked pharmacy route for approved prescription products and pet essentials. | Use for authorized refill and pharmacy needs. |
Independent guide notice: This website is not Best Friends Veterinary Hospital, an emergency veterinary hospital, a veterinary license board, or a pet insurance company. Confirm final details directly with the clinic or emergency hospital before making medical, travel, boarding, payment, or treatment decisions.
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital FAQs
Common questions about phone, address, hours, appointments, services, exotic pets, boarding, payments, records, and emergency care.
1. What is the address of Best Friends Veterinary Hospital?
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital is located at 7600 Lindbergh Dr, Suite H, Gaithersburg, MD 20879.
2. What is the phone number for Best Friends Veterinary Hospital?
The main phone number is 301-977-1881. Use it for appointments, same-day questions, drop-off requests, records, refills, boarding, and urgent guidance during business hours.
3. What are the hours for Best Friends Veterinary Hospital?
The official contact page lists Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm; Wednesday closed; Saturday from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm; and Sunday closed. Confirm holiday hours before visiting.
4. Does Best Friends Veterinary Hospital offer same-day appointments?
The official contact page says booking is available by phone or online scheduling and mentions same-day and drop-off appointments for convenience. Call 301-977-1881 to confirm availability for your pet’s condition.
5. Does Best Friends Veterinary Hospital treat exotic pets?
Yes. The clinic’s services describe care for birds, reptiles, rabbits, pocket pets, small mammals, and other exotic pets. Call before booking to confirm species coverage and urgency.
6. Does Best Friends Veterinary Hospital offer boarding or day care?
Yes. The clinic lists veterinary-supervised boarding and day care. Confirm availability, vaccine requirements, drop-off time, pickup time, medication instructions, and special-care needs before reserving.
7. Is Best Friends Veterinary Hospital a 24-hour emergency vet?
No. The clinic lists regular business hours and separate emergency referral contacts. For severe after-hours emergencies, call a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital or one of the emergency numbers listed by the clinic.
8. What payment options does Best Friends Veterinary Hospital list?
The payment page lists major credit and debit cards, cash, CareCredit, and pet insurance claim support. It also says payment is required at the time of service and estimates can be provided for recommended services.
9. How do I get my pet’s medical records from Best Friends Veterinary Hospital?
Call or email the clinic with your owner name, pet name, phone number, and the records needed. Ask for vaccine certificates, invoices, lab results, imaging, medication history, and doctor notes if they are required for boarding, travel, insurance, or a specialist.
10. What should I bring to my first appointment?
Bring previous veterinary records, vaccine history, current medications, diet details, pet insurance information if any, and a secure carrier or leash. For exotic pets, bring enclosure photos, diet details, temperature and lighting information, and recent symptom notes.