Welcome to VCA Metzger Animal Hospital. We are AAHA-accredited and a Level II Certified Emergency Veterinary Facility providing around-the-clock care to State College, Bellefonte, Altoona, Clearfield, and all of Central Pennsylvania. We offer a variety of veterinary services to pets, both big and small, including wellness care, surgical services, rehabilitation and physical therapy, orthopedic surgery, and much more! We are available when you need us.
What sets VCA Metzger apart?
Our certifications! Many pet owners choose their veterinarian based on recommendations from their friends or neighbors, location or an Internet search. We feel CERTIFICATION is extremely important because it’s the ONLY way pet owners can compare apples to apples. Be CERTAIN your veterinarian and your veterinary hospital are CERTIFIED.
VCA Metzger Animal Hospital's certification summary:
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
- Dual certified (general practice and referral/specialty)
- American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC)
- Level II Certified Emergency Veterinary Hospital
- American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
- Certified Feline Friendly Practice
- American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP)
- American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP)
- American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM)
How are overnight patients monitored?
We have 24-hour care with an emergency doctor and technicians on site at ALL times. VCA Metzger Animal Hospital is a Level II VECCS (Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society) Certified Veterinary Emergency Hospital.
There are ONLY 5 VECCS certified emergency veterinary hospitals in Pennsylvania including:
- University of Pennsylvania Ryan Veterinary Hospital in Philadelphia
- Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma and Specialty in Monroeville
- Veterinary Specialty Emergency Center in Levittown
- VCA Metzger Animal Hospital in State College
What sort of equipment does VCA Metzger use?
We are the most advanced veterinary hospital in central Pennsylvania. Our specialized instrumentation include; CT (CAT scan), fluoroscopy, digital X-ray, laparoscopy, endoscopy, ultrasound, echocardiography, 13 anesthesia units with ventilation, Midmark anesthetic monitors, Aero spray slide strainer and cytoprep, Olympus specialty pathology microscope 26 IV fluid pumps, two Snyder oxygen treatment units and a Shor-Line underwater treadmill.
Does VCA Metzger refer patients to specialists?
Yes BUT we have 4 specialists on staff ourselves, so we frequently receive patients from other veterinarians. We have the only board-certified specialists in Central Pennsylvania.
A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed additional training in a specific area of veterinary medicine and has passed an examination that evaluates their knowledge and skills in that specialty area. Currently, there are 22 AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organizations comprising 41 distinct specialties.
How are patients evaluated before anesthesia and surgery?
We have mandatory preanesthetic blood testing included in the price and we perform the testing the morning of the anesthetic procedure. Our trained and certified veterinary technicians closely monitor our patients and utilize state of the art anesthetic monitoring instrumentation (end tidal CO2, pulse oximetry, EKG, blood pressure).
Does VCA Metzger have licensed veterinary technicians on staff?
VCA Metzger Animal Hospital has 21 Certified Veterinary Technicians and 1 Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) on staff!
A Certified Veterinary Technician has many duties that are vital to the health care of our pets. Certified Veterinary Technician complete a 2-3 year degree at an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician college then must pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination to obtain the title of certified veterinary technician (CVT).
What is VCA Metzger's protocol for pain management?
We have advanced pain management protocols that are used at veterinary teaching hospitals and are continually updated. In addition, we have our rehabilitation center, which is equipped with an underwater treadmill, uses therapeutic ultrasound, e-stim and veterinary chiropractic care. Our rehabilitation center is staffed by certified professionals: Dr. Bob Rider, DVM, CCRT; Dr. Kevin McCarthy, DC, ACVC; and Physical Therapist, Anne Risaliti, PT, CCRT.