Las Vegas veterinarian treats exotic animals

Being a veterinarian comes with unique challenges.

“I did a caesarean section on a snake earlier this year,” Dr. Randy Ceballos said. “I just have always wanted to treat anything.”

Dr. Ceballos and his team at Sunridge Animal Hospital in Henderson are one of the few places that routinely treat exotic animals in the Las Vegas area. The hospital, which opened in 2001, regularly treats dogs, cats, birds, snakes, ferrets, rodents, tortoises, turtles, the occasional piglet, baby goats and even a river otter or two.

“You name it, I think I’ve treated it,” Dr. Ceballos said.

The doctor’s love of animals started when he was a kid. His mother had horses, and he always had a few exotic creatures around his home. Dr. Ceballos said he couldn’t remember a time when he didn’t have an animal living with him. He has four dogs, 2 tortoises, and a bird.

“There’s always been this natural bond,” Dr. Ceballos said.

And he helped build Sunridge to be a one stop shop for all pet owners. The facility at 10850 S. Eastern Avenue in Henderson is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory, X-rays, ultrasound, pharmacy, laser, acupuncture and surgery. They offer boarding for dogs, cats and exotics, routine and medicated baths for dogs and they have a large selection of prescription foods available for purchase.

Dr. Ceballos does make house calls from time to time though – especially for clients who have difficulty getting to the hospital or for those hard moments when a client has to say goodbye to their pet, and they would like to do it at home.

He’s treated magicians’ tigers, the big cats at The Lion Habitat Ranch and some of the creatures at the Silverton Aquarium. Dr. Ceballos has even provided care for an elephant during the 20 years he’s called Nevada, home.

When Dr. Ceballos isn’t working a Sunridge Animal Hospital, it’s likely that he’s volunteering his time and skills to help the local Wildlife Department.

He’s helped to rehabilitate hawks, falcons, owls, ravens and a variety of injured wild birds.

Dr. Ceballos also implants transmitters in Gila monsters, so scientists can study where the venomous lizards live, sleep and birth their offspring. His work with the Department of Wildlife and the Gila monster project are part of the Pro Bono activities he enjoys the most.

Dr. Ceballos might see a Gila monster once in its lifetime, but he does recommend twice a year exams for pets; he evaluates their overall health and determines if there are any recommendations to improve their quality of life, including a dental cleaning...as simple as that sounds.

“Dental care is one of the things people really don’t pay attention to,” Dr. Ceballos said.

A professional dental cleaning also gives Dr. Ceballos the chance to check for decay and gum disease, which can be responsible for numerous health problems like kidney, heart and gastrointestinal diseases.

“The first symptoms of many health problems can be found inside an animal’s mouth,” Dr. Ceballos said.

That’s why Sunridge Animal Hospital will perform a dental exam, along with an overall evaluation, on every pet seen. For adopted or shelter pets, their exam is complimentary, within 10 days of adoption, which is another way the hospital gives back to the community.

The hospital opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, which makes scheduling an appointment around work easy.
 


This article was presented and sponsored by Sunridge Animal Hospital. For more information, go to sunridgeanimalhospital.com.

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