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! To that end, it is our goal to make your pet’s visit with us as easy on YOU as on them.

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

Click here to download our Boarding Form

Click here to download our Drop-Off 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

For your first visit, allow yourself at least an hour for the consultation. When you arrive at the hospital, you will need to complete paperwork and then a technician will guide you to an examination room. A specialist will complete a thorough exam on your pet, review records from your referring veterinarian and discuss treatment options with you. If we can begin diagnostic testing that day, you may need to leave your pet with us for the afternoon.  During the consultation the doctor will be able to provide you with an estimate for any additional treatment/testing.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Anticipating the possibility of testing, we ask that all patients withhold food 12 hours prior to your appointment.

If your pet is diabetic, please check with our receptionist for specific instructions on feeding and medications.

Recheck Appointments

When calling to make a recheck appointment with one of our doctors, it is very important to schedule your appointment at least 10-14 days in advance. This allows us to accommodate your schedule as best as possible. Also, please schedule your recheck appointment with the doctor that originally treated your pet.

Practice Hours

Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  While there are no weekend appointments, the on-call doctor evaluates in-hospital patients in the mornings.

Visitation

Visiting hours are 1 p.m.  to 7 p.m., for approximately 30 minutes, once a day. If you wish to talk with a doctor during visitation, you will want to schedule it with the technician in charge of your pet’s care. If you have any concerns while visiting, please inform the technical staff and they will address it with the attending or staff doctor.

Prescription Refills

We are happy to refill your pet’s prescriptions during office hours. We request a 48 hour notice on all refills. If you run out of your medication, we cannot guarantee that they will be filled before your next dose is due.

Medical Boarding

We understand that, due to some of our patients’ medical conditions, it may be best to board them at the hospital. Once we receive permission from your pet’s attending veterinarian, you will need to fill out the forms above and return them to us prior to arrival. Receipt of those forms will allow us to give you an accurate estimate and have everything ready when you arrive.

Drop-Offs

If your pet is already a patient and you have arranged to drop him/her off in the morning for a procedure, you will need to print and fill out the Drop-Off Form prior to arrival.

Meet Our Doctors

Dr. Marcia A. Carothers

Dr. Marcia A. Carothers – Retired

  • Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 1992
  • DVM: University of Georgia, 1984
  • Residency: The Ohio State University
  • Internship: Auburn University
  • BS: Clemson University, 1976
  • Areas of Special Interest: Renal disease, Endocrine disease, GI disease, and Hematology

Born in Aiken, South Carolina, Dr. Carothers started the Akron Veterinary Internal Medicine Practice in 1995. As an Internal Medicine Specialist, there are so many things she loves about her job. Finding and diagnosing a medicine problem can be a challenge. However, each patient she works her hardest to give them the life and quality they deserve! Not only does she have the medical knowledge and experience but her love for her patients shows greatly as she treats them like they are her own! In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband Nick, camping, hiking, fishing and gardening. Her furry family includes Boomer, Belle, Cabin Kitty, and Ninja.

Dr. Rance M. Gamblin

Dr. Rance M. Gamblin

  • Diplomate: ACVIM (Oncology), 1997
  • DVM: Mississippi State University, 1992
  • Residency: The Ohio State University, 1997 (Oncology/Hematology)
  • Internship: Colorado State University 1993
  • BS in Biology: Mississippi State University, 1988
  • Areas of Special Interest: Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumors, Hemangiosarcoma, and Osteosarcoma

From Jackson, Mississippi, Dr. Gamblin has been a co-owner and staff 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 that includes his wife Tracie, two daughters Lauren and Anna, and furry friends, Pepper (DSH) and Roux, the chocolate Labrador. He is also an avid outdoorsman and volunteers for several wildlife conservation groups such as Ducks Unlimited, the Ohio Waterfowl Association, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Dr. Greg Chambers

Dr. Greg Chambers

  • Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2012
  • DVM: Texas A & M University, 2004
  • Residency: California Animal Hospital
  • Internship: Oklahoma State University
  • 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 was born in Wichita, Kansas but grew up in Midland, 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 which includes; his wife Wendy and two children. He also enjoys hiking, reading, movies, walking and playing with their dogs. His furry family consists of Anna (Lab mix), Lily (Airedale), and Sam (Abyssinian/Maine Coon mix).

Dr. Julie A. Stanton

Dr. Julie A. Stanton

  • Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2018
  • Residency: Cornell University
  • Internship: University of Georgia
  • 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, 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 husband Shaun, pit bull mix Bella, and cat Taggart.

Dr. Sarah A. Perdion

Dr. Sarah A. Perdion

  • Board Eligible: ACVIM-SAIM
  • DVM: The Ohio State University, 2002
  • Residency: MedVet Associates
  • Internship: MedVet Associates
  • 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 a variety of things about internal medicine. To her, it is never boring and no two days are alike. She enjoys being able to be a part of her patient’s medical team and helping them get back to the life they deserve! In her spare time, Dr. Perdion enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.  She also takes pleasure in reading and scrap booking.  Dr. Perdion’s furry family consists of Miss Lucy (Terrier), Pete (Terrier Mix), and Super Sham(Kitty).

Dr. Patricia L. Thalhofer

Dr. Patricia L. Thalhofer

  • Board Eligible: ACVIM-SAIM
  • DVM: The Ohio State University, 2005
  • Residency: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2009
  • Internship: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital, 2006
  • BS in Biology: Westminster College, 2001
  • Areas of interest: Oncology, Hematology, and Cytology

Born in 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, overseeing Oncology Services, our 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 kitty, Pumpkin and her dog, Leon.

Dr. Vanessa H. Dollo

Dr. Vanessa H. Dollo

  • Diplomate: ACVIM (Board Certified I.M. Specialist), 2019
  • DVM: The Ohio State University, 2013
  • Residency: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital
  • Internship: Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital
  • 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 scrapbooking, traveling, and spending time with her family.