Our cardiology doctors evaluate, diagnose and treat congenital and acquired heart diseases. This comprehensive practice offers specialized diagnostics and invasive procedures relevant to management of cardiovascular diseases in pets.
As a specialized practice within a multi-specialty hospital, we provide integrated specialized care for pets with complex, multi-systemic disease and assist in the management of cardiac complications of other disease processes. When necessary, we make recommendations for and facilitate transfer to our surgeons when surgical intervention or therapy is required.
We work closely with your regular veterinarian to keep them updated on our findings and recommendations and partner with them to provide for your pet’s ongoing care. When choosing to follow up with your regular veterinarian, we will review and make recommendations to your regular veterinarian on follow up lab work and blood pressure results at no cost. However, We do not contact you directly to discuss test results done elsewhere. There is a fee associated with more extensive consultations. This fee varies with what diagnostics are being sent for review.
Check in form and quick links
Click here to download the editable check in form for the Cardiology department and email to [email protected]
Click here for common cardiology nutrition sites, resting respiratory rates and medication logs.
Getting Treatment
If your veterinarian has evaluated your pet and has recommended that your pet needs an appointment with one of our Board-Certified Specialists, we ask that your veterinarian complete our referral form.
Click Here to download our referral form.
Our Services
Echocardiogram
Chest Radiographs
Blood Pressure
Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)
Holter Monitor
Loop Recorder

Cardiac catheterization and angiography
Invasive Procedures
Our Practice
Appointments
Frequently Asked Questions:
Click Here for a list of FAQ’s on Cardiology, medications, and when to seek Emergency Care
Cardiology Department Hours
Hospitalized Patients
Meet Our Doctors

Lori S. Hitchcock DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Lori Hitchcock is originally from Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland summa cum laude in 1992 with a B.S. in veterinary science. She completed her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at Ohio State University, also graduating summa cum laude. She stayed at Ohio State for a small animal medicine internship then performed her residency in cardiology at the University of Missouri under the mentorship of Dr. John Bonagura. She was board certified by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialty of Cardiology in 1999. Dr. Hitchcock remained at the University of Missouri as a clinical instructor for one year before returning to Columbus, Ohio, as a staff cardiologist at MedVet Medical Center, where she practiced for four years. In 2004, Dr. Hitchcock opened Ohio Veterinary Cardiology at the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital in Akron, Ohio.
Dr. Hitchcock is an active member the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). She has served on several ACVIM committees and currently is Secretary for the ACVIM Specialty of Cardiology. She is grateful to work in a career that she truly loves and is inspired by.
Dr. Hitchcock lives in Medina with her husband. She has four children, two grown, and two nearly so, and two dogs, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel, Olivia, and a Labrador Retriever, Lexi.

Michelle Villalba, MS, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Villalba grew up in Cincinnati Ohio and joined Ohio Veterinary Cardiology in August 2019. Following graduation from veterinary school she completed a small animal rotating internship at Ontario Veterinary College. She returned to The Ohio State University to complete her residency in cardiology. During her residency program, she obtained her master’s degree studying diastolic function in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She enjoys treating all cardiac conditions and giving her patients an improved quality of life. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at home with her husband, dog and two cats.

Caitlin Stoner, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Stoner grew up in western New York and joined Ohio Veterinary Cardiology in September 2022. Following graduation from veterinary school at Cornell University, she completed her small animal rotating internship at The Ohio State University. After completing her rotating internship, she spent three years as an emergency practitioner at CARE Center in Cincinnati Ohio. This was prior to pursuing an Emergency and Critical Care specialty internship at North Carolina State University and her cardiology residency at Texas A&M University. This is where she developed a strong interest in advanced imaging and interventional treatment of congenital and acquired heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and cat, hiking America’s National Parks and riding her two horses.

Mary Carter, DVM, Resident in Cardiology
Dr. Carter grew up in Hudson, OH and obtained her undergraduate and DVM degrees from The Ohio State University. After graduation from veterinary school, she worked as an emergency veterinarian for three years (including one here at Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital) before completing a small animal rotating internship at The University of Wisconsin – Madison. She is thrilled to be back at Metropolitan for her cardiology residency. Dr. Carter is the owner of three badly behaved cats, and has a special interest in feline cardiomyopathy. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying time with her family, reading and spending as much time in the sun as she can.