Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarian in Aspen Hill, MD
Animal Place Veterinary Hospital is a locally owned institution dedicated to providing compassionate veterinary care for dogs and cats in Aspen Hill, MD. Our team prioritizes personalized attention, treating each pet as a cherished family member while offering comprehensive services ranging from wellness exams to advanced surgical procedures. With a focus on prevention and early intervention, we equip pet owners with tools for lifelong health management. Our skilled veterinarians and staff combine technical expertise with genuine care, ensuring pets receive both medical excellence and emotional support. We maintain state-of-the-art facilities with in-house diagnostics, digital radiology, and surgical suites to deliver efficient, high-quality care.Committed to community service, we accept new clients daily and offer urgent care during regular business hours. Our team's extensive experience spans decades of combined clinical practice, including specialized training in dermatology, soft-tissue surgery, and emergency medicine. We emphasize open communication, welcoming client questions to foster collaborative healthcare decisions. Located in Silver Spring, MD, we serve Aspen Hill, Wheaton, Olney, Rockville, and surrounding areas with convenient same-day appointment availability. Our dedication to continuous improvement drives us to stay at the forefront of veterinary advancements while maintaining the warmth of a neighborhood practice.
Services
Vaccines
Dental Care
Soft-Tissue Surgery
Orthopedic Surgery
Urgent Care
In-House Diagnostics
Spay & Neuter
Pet Hospice
Wellness Exams
Parasite Prevention
Highlights and features
- We're locally owned and deeply committed to the Aspen Hill community
- Our team includes veterinarians with specialized training in surgery and emergency medicine
- We offer comprehensive care from wellness exams to advanced surgical procedures
- Same-day appointments available for urgent pet healthcare needs
- Equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical facilities
Services
Vaccines
We provide tailored vaccination plans for dogs and cats based on age, health status, and lifestyle. Our core vaccines protect against rabies, parvovirus, and distemper while lifestyle vaccines address specific environmental risks. Our veterinarians create customized schedules to ensure optimal protection without unnecessary immunizations, helping pets maintain lifelong immunity against preventable diseases.
Dental Care
Our comprehensive dental services include professional cleanings, oral exams, and periodontal disease prevention. Using gentle anesthesia and dental X-rays, we detect hidden issues beneath the gumline while addressing problems like tooth decay and gum inflammation. Regular dental maintenance helps prevent systemic health complications and keeps pets comfortable during eating and play activities.
Soft-Tissue Surgery
We perform various soft-tissue procedures including spaying/neutering, tumor removal, and wound repair in our state-of-the-art surgical suite. Our team prioritizes patient safety with pre-surgical assessments, advanced monitoring, and post-operative care. Most procedures are completed in-house, with complex cases referred to trusted specialists while maintaining continuity of care for pet owners.
Orthopedic Surgery
Our orthopedic services treat fractures, dislocations, and joint conditions using advanced techniques like minimally invasive ACL repair and TPLO procedures. With dedicated surgical facilities and experienced veterinary surgeons, we help pets regain mobility and alleviate pain from injuries or developmental conditions like hip dysplasia through both traditional and innovative treatment approaches.
Urgent Care
We provide urgent medical attention during regular business hours for pets experiencing trauma, poisoning, breathing difficulties, or other critical conditions. Our team stabilizes patients and administers immediate treatment for situations requiring rapid intervention, including allergic reactions, seizures, and complications during labor while offering guidance for after-hours emergencies.
People
Dr. Sunil Kakarla
Owner
Dr. Kakarla graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in India and earned a Ph.D. in West Virginia. With over 15 years of clinical experience, he specializes in dermatology, soft tissue surgery, and emergency medicine. He previously served as a veterinarian in North Carolina before establishing Animal Place Veterinary Hospital.
Dr. Murali Mallela
Chief Veterinarian
Dr. Mallela earned his B.V.Sc., M.V.Sc., and Ph.D. in Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. After post-doctoral research at Yale University, he transitioned back to clinical practice. He joined Animal Place in 2022, bringing expertise in small animal medicine and research experience from academic institutions.
Dr. Adriana Ogando
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Ogando has over 15 years of experience in small animal medicine with special interests in dermatology and endocrinology. Born in Brazil and raised in Spain, she speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish. She joined Animal Place in 2022 after practicing veterinary medicine internationally.
Sarah Van Staalduinen
Administrative Director
Sarah graduated from NC State University with degrees in Animal Science and Applied Nutrition. She has worked at Animal Place since 2019, managing daily operations while maintaining her passion for animal welfare. She coordinates client services and team activities at the hospital.
Cordero Curry
Team Lead
Originally from the Bahamas, Cordero has worked as a veterinary technician since 2010. He joined Animal Place in 2016 after gaining experience in Freeport and continues his education while working overnight shifts at a local emergency clinic to support pet healthcare needs.
Questions
What services does Animal Place Veterinary Hospital offer?
We provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, soft-tissue and orthopedic surgery, urgent care, in-house diagnostics, and pet hospice services for dogs and cats.
Do you accept new clients and walk-ins?
Yes, we welcome new clients daily and accept walk-ins for urgent care during regular business hours.
What are your operating hours?
We're open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday 10am-6pm for pet healthcare services.
Do you offer emergency veterinary care?
We provide urgent care during regular hours and recommend contacting emergency hospitals for after-hours critical situations.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Aspen Hill, Wheaton, Olney, Silver Spring, Rockville, and surrounding communities in Maryland.
How can I schedule an appointment?
Call us at (301) 603-1223 or visit our website to request an appointment for your pet's healthcare needs.
Reviews (6)
Alex Norwood
Jun 19, 2022
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We visited Animal Place for an emergency visit at 10pm on a Friday night after our dog was attacked by another dog earlier in the evening. The team was so calm and put us at ease. They also assessed the situation well by asking for pictures ahead of time to make sure they could help, and made sure we were ok with the cost before performing the recommended procedure. We would definitely recommend their urgent care services in particular!
Shagoura
May 22, 2022
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Caring and compassionate pet care! That's what my indoor-only cat got after she unexpectedly spent several days roaming in the woods. As soon as she was home, I took her to The Animal Place for a checkup. Although she looked fine, they gave her deworming medicine and a flea treatment, just in case she had contracted something nasty from her adventure. The veterinarian, Dr. Mallela, and a veterinary technician (sorry, I didn't get her name) combed mats out of my cat's long fur. I really appreciate their kind attentions to my beloved pet.
Matt Merc
Apr 12, 2022
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Very friendly staff and vets. The expanded hours and urgent care after hours make this vet office very convenient.
Michael Reyes
Mar 25, 2022
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Animal Place Veterinary Hospital has been our vet since I moved to the area 25 years ago! Caring staff, knowledgeable, fair prices.
Courtney Hawkins
Mar 14, 2022
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Took wonderful care of my pet and gave me peace of mind for the urinary tract issue we came in about.
Victor Garcia-Escalante
Sep 15, 2021
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I had two dogs (Cachito and Taquito) attended by Dr. DeAnna. Dr. DeAnna and her staff are very friendly and attentive.
