Since 2000, Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital has been the home of Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine/Oncology Practice. We treat and care for pets as if they were family because we know they are a special part of yours! Our goal to make your pet’s visit with us as easy on them and you.
Appointment Instructions
Click here to download appointment instructions during the COVID-19 “Stay at Home” Order.
Check In Form
Click here to download the editable check in form for the Internal Medicine & Oncology department and email to avimpreception@metropolitanvet.com
Getting Treatment
To make an appointment or receive treatment from our board-certified specialists, you’ll need a referral from your veterinarian.
Click here to download our Referral Form

Our Services
We provide the latest diagnostic and treatment regimens, including:
- Endoscopy
- Cystoscopy
- Rhinoscopy
- Retroflex nasopharyngoscopy
- Laryngoscopy
- Bronchoscopy
- Gastroscopy
- Colonoscopy
- Proctoscopy
- Endoscopic biopsy
- Foreign body retrieval
- Oxygen therapy
- Blood-gas analysis
- Continuous thoracic suction
- Whole blood and plasma transfusion therapy
- Bone marrow aspiration
- Nutrition therapy
- Esophagostamy/PEG tubes
- Ultrasound
- Chemotherapy
Appointments

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
In anticipation of the possibility of diagnostic testing, please withhold food 12 hours prior to your appointment. If your pet is diabetic, please check with our receptionist for specific instructions with feeding and medications.
Recheck Appointments
Practice Hours
Visitation
Prescription Refills
Medical Boarding
Drop-Offs
Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Rance M. Gamblin
- Diplomate: ACVIM (Oncology), 1997
- Residency: The Ohio State University, 1997 (Oncology/Hematology)
- Internship: Colorado State University, 1993
- DVM: Mississippi State University, 1992
- BS in Biology: Mississippi State University, 1988
- Areas of Special Interest: Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumors, Hemangiosarcoma, and Osteosarcoma
Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Gamblin has been an oncologist with the Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine/Oncology Practice since 1997. He enjoys the multi-modality cancer treatment approach of surgery, medical and radiation oncology. In his time away from the hospital, Dr. Gamblin spends time with his family and furry friends, Pepper (domestic short hair) Roux and Caje, (both chocolate Labradors). He is also an avid outdoorsman and volunteers for several wildlife conservation groups, such as Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl.

Dr. Greg Chambers
- Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2012
- Residency: California Animal Hospital, 2008
- Internship: Oklahoma State University, 2005
- DVM: Texas A & M University, 2004
- BS in Biomedical Science: Texas A & M University, 1999
- Areas of Special Interest: Gastrointestinal (including liver and pancreas), Endocrine, Pulmonary, Renal and Immune Mediated Diseases
Dr. Chambers grew up in Oklahoma and Texas. He chose internal medicine for both the challenge of diagnosing and treating complicated diseases and to help preserve the special relationship between patients and their families. Dr. Chambers spends time with his family and pets Emma (Labrador), Josie (Pitbull mix), and Cora (Domestic Short Hair). Dr. Chambers also enjoys hiking, walking, reading, watching movies, and playing board games.

Dr. Amanda Elpiner
- Diplomate: ACVIM (Oncology), 2011
- Residency: Veterinary Cancer Center (Oncology), 2010
- Internship: Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, 2006
- DVM: The Ohio State University, 2005
- BS in Molecular Genetics: The Ohio State University, 2001
- Areas of Special Interest: Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumors, Hemangiosarcoma, and Osteosarcoma
Dr. Elpiner grew up in Northeast Ohio. She has been practicing veterinary oncology in the area since 2010, joining Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine and Oncology Practice in 2021. Dr. Elpiner’s area of interest and undergraduate degree was in Molecular Genetics. She has always been fascinated by how the body works on a cellular level and intended to go into research. During school, she worked in several laboratories and missed the client/patient interaction. Oncology was the perfect fit to marry both her passion for research, while still developing relationships with families and their pets. Oncology is constantly changing as new drugs and new pathways emerge. Dr. Elpiner loves staying current with research and seeing the benefits of that research truly come to life in her patients. In her free time, Dr. Elpiner enjoys spending time with her family, her dogs Leo (Rhodesian Ridgeback), Della (mixed breed), Lucy (lab mix), and cats Chester and Jack (both domestic short hair). She also enjoys time outdoors running, hiking and biking.

Dr. Julie A. Stanton
- Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2018
- Residency: Cornell University, 2017
- Internship: University of Georgia, 2014
- DVM: Kansas State University, 2013
- BS: Tulane University, 2008
- Areas of interest: Endocrinology, renal disease, immune mediated disease
Dr. Stanton grew up in Bainbridge, OH and joined the Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine Practice in August of 2017. She chose internal medicine to focus on helping animals affected by the most difficult diseases achieve the best quality of life possible. In her spare time, Dr. Stanton enjoys hiking and spending time with her family, her cat Taggart, and her pitbull mixes Rosie and Bella.

Dr. Vanessa H. Dollo
- Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2019
- Residency: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2017
- Internship: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2014
- DVM: The Ohio State University, 2013
- BS: Miami University, 2009
- Areas of Special Interest: Endocrine Disease, Immune Mediated Disease and Renal Disease
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Dr. Dollo came to Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in 2013 to complete a one-year rotating small animal internship. She then completed an internal medicine residency with the Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine Practice (AVIMP). Dr. Dollo is dedicated to giving her patients the best possible quality of life and loves the challenges internal medicine provides. In her spare time, she enjoys scrap booking, traveling, and spending time with her family and two dogs, Jack (Husky) and Petey (Labrador).

Dr. Sarah A. Perdion
- Board Eligible: ACVIM-SAIM
- Residency: MedVet Associates, 2006
- Internship: MedVet Associates, 2003
- DVM: The Ohio State University, 2002
- BS in Horticulture: The Ohio State University, 1998
- Areas of Special Interest: GI Disease, Liver Disease, Renal Disease, and Hematology
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Dr. Perdion came to Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital and joined the Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine Practice in July of 2006. Dr. Perdion enjoys that internal medicine is never boring, and no two days are alike. She likes being a part of her patient’s medical team and helping them get back to the life they deserve. In her spare time, Dr. Perdion spends time with her family and Pete (Terrier mix). She also enjoys reading and scrapbooking.

Dr. Patricia L. Thalhofer
- Board Eligible: ACVIM-SAIM
- Residency: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2009
- Internship: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2006
- DVM: The Ohio State University, 2005
- BS in Biology: Westminster College, 2001
- Areas of interest: Oncology, Hematology, and Cytology
Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dr. Thalhofer joined Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine/Oncology Practice as an associate veterinarian in 2009 after completion of her internal medicine residency. A strong interest in cancer medicine lead to her current position in chemotherapy administration service. Dr. Thalhofer’s compassion for animals shows greatly through her work and dedication to her patients and their owners. In her spare time she enjoys golfing, having dinner with friends, and spending time with her dog, Leon.

Dr. Stephen Dilday
- Internal Medicine Resident
- Internship: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2020
- DVM: Oklahoma State University, 2019
- Registered Veterinary Technician, 2008
- Areas of Special Interest: Infectious Disease and Endocrinology
Dr. Dilday is originally from Baden-Wurttenburg Germany, and grew up in both Oklahoma and Germany. He enjoys the challenges often associated with the diagnosis of internal medicine cases, and is passionate about the work we do to improve the quality of life for our patients.
Dr. Dilday has two cats, Eric and Lafayette, and a corn snake named Elphaba. He enjoys gardening, tending to plants, hiking, and exploring nature. Dr. Dilday is excited to explore the nature parks and hiking trails of Northeast Ohio.