Dr. Bala has 4+ years of veterinary clinical experience, primarily in small animal medicine and pocket pets such as rats, mice, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, chinchillas, and rabbits. He grew up in rural India with farm animals and pets. He earned his DVM and Masters in Veterinary Pharmacology degrees from A. N. G. R. Agricultural University in India. He moved to the United States in 2007 to attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and graduated with a Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology.
After graduation, he started his career in cancer research and development in contract research organizations and the pharmaceutical industry. While doing so, he occasionally volunteered in animal shelters and private veterinary practices in Pennsylvania. During his research career, he contributed his expertise to the development of human cancer drugs for lung cancer, melanoma, and breast cancer. He has been passionate about translating such advances in human medicine to our veterinary patients through strict adherence to preventative care and evidence-based medicine. His other passions are mastering internal medicine, soft tissue surgeries, emergency medicine in small animals, and small mammal medicine.
Dr. Bala lives with his wife Neelima, two boys (Smayan and Swithun), guinea pigs (Beaver and Chacolate), rabbit (Stripe), and aquarium fish. He prefers to spend his leisure time outdoors traveling, gardening, camping, hiking, and fishing.