Erica O’Donnell

Dr. Erica O’Donnell graduated from UCLA in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Political Science.  While at UCLA, she completed a one and a half year internship at the UCLA Medical Center.  She was the recipient of the UCLA Senior of the Year award and Chancellor’s award upon graduation. Prior to this, at age 16, she completed a one year pre-medical biology course at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA.  In 2012, Dr. O’Donnell graduated from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where she double-tracked in small animal/equine medicine and obtained her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM).  At UC Davis, she received the Walber-Malinois Scholarship Award (outstanding achievement in companion animal internal medicine) and the Theadora Peigh Memorial Scholarship Award (outstanding academic achievement).

Following graduation from veterinary school, she completed a one year rotating internship at Veterinary Medical and Surgical Group in Ventura, CA and a one year surgical internship at Veterinary Orthopedic Sports Medicine Group in Annapolis Junction, Maryland. She then moved to Surrey, England and worked at Fitzpatrick Referrals, first as an intern and then as clinical services coordinator and research assistant. During this time, she became a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS).  After two years at this progressive orthopedic and neurologic specialty center in the UK, Dr. O’Donnell returned to her native Southern California to complete an emergency and critical care residency at Veterinary Specialty Hospital Sorrento Valley.  She was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences in 2019.  In 2020, Dr. O’Donnell was accepted as a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC).  She currently serves as a criticalist and Senior Veterinary Associate at Veterinary Specialty Hospital North County.

Published Articles:

• Pharmacokinetics and efficacy of trazodone following rectal administration of a single dose to healthy dogs. American Journal of Veterinary Research. 8 Sept. 2020 – Read Article
• Surgical treatment of medial shoulder syndromes using a minimally invasive prosthetic ligament stabilization technique in dogs: 39 cases (2008-2013). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association – Read Article
• Traumatic fracture of the medial coronoid process in 24 dogs. Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedic Traumatology – Read Article
• Laparoscopic splenectomy: operative technique and outcome in three cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery – Read Article