Brad Gividen DVM in Baltimore: Mixed-Animal Practice for Routine and Preventive Care
Brad Gividen DVM operates a general veterinary practice in Baltimore that handles dogs, cats, and small animals, with an emphasis on wellness exams, vaccinations, and preventive medicine rather than surgery or emergency stabilization.
What this practice actually is
Gividen's practice functions as a primary-care veterinarian for pet owners who need routine checkups, vaccine management, and basic diagnostics. The practice does not market itself as an emergency clinic and is not equipped for trauma or overnight hospitalization. It sits in the middle of Baltimore's veterinary market: more specialized than a low-cost vaccine clinic, less equipped than animal hospitals with surgical suites and 24-hour staffing.
Services and pricing
Wellness exams typically run $50 to $75 for a first visit and $40 to $60 for follow-ups, though prices shift with market conditions and should be confirmed by calling ahead. Vaccinations (rabies, DHPP, FVRCP depending on species) fall into standard ranges of $20 to $40 per shot. Microchipping generally costs $25 to $50. The practice offers basic bloodwork and urinalysis through in-house or send-out labs, with costs varying by test panel; expect $100 to $300 for routine senior screening panels.
Gividen does not perform surgery on-site. Spay, neuter, and dental extractions are referred to surgical specialists or animal hospitals, a common model for general practices in Baltimore that lack dedicated surgical infrastructure.
How it compares to other Baltimore veterinarians
Gividen competes primarily against other single-doctor or small-team general practices, as well as larger animal hospitals. Practices like Falls Road Animal Hospital and Canton Veterinary Clinic offer comparable wellness services but often bundle them into membership or wellness plans; those plans may save money if your pet needs frequent visits. Gividen's strength lies in appointment availability and continuity with one doctor, rather than rotating providers. For owners who prioritize surgery, dental work, or emergency care under one roof, hospitals like VCA Chesapeake or Evergreen Veterinary Clinic in Canton offer those services but typically at higher per-visit costs and with less flexibility in scheduling routine exams.
Who it suits and who it does not suit
This practice works well for owners with healthy adult pets who need yearly exams and vaccines, or for those managing chronic conditions with regular monitoring (diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease). It also suits new pet owners who want a low-pressure environment to ask basic questions. Pet owners who own exotic animals, birds, or reptiles should call first; not all general practices stock the supplies or experience for non-mammalian species.
Gividen is not the right fit for owners expecting on-site surgery, dental cleaning, or after-hours emergency care. Owners whose pets have complex surgical needs or multiple chronic diseases may benefit from the diagnostic depth and specialist referral networks at larger hospitals.
What the first visit involves
Expect a full history interview covering your pet's diet, any behavioral concerns, vaccination history, and current medications. The veterinarian will perform a physical exam, palpating the abdomen, listening to the heart and lungs, checking the eyes and ears, and assessing body weight and condition. For new patients, a fecal test is often recommended to screen for intestinal parasites. If vaccines are needed, they are typically given the same day. The visit usually runs 20 to 30 minutes.
Hours, parking, and logistics
Contact the practice directly to confirm current hours and parking availability. Many general practices in Baltimore operate Monday through Friday with limited Saturday availability; evening appointments are less common. Street parking or a small lot is typical for single-doctor offices in residential neighborhoods.
Gividen's practice fills a straightforward role in Baltimore's pet healthcare landscape: reliable preventive care and continuity, without the overhead or pricing of a full-service animal hospital.
