Dr David Heller, DVM, MS
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Oncology)
Dr. David Heller graduated from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Following graduation, he served as an intern for one year in small animal medicine and surgery at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
After that, he went on to complete a 3-year combined residency and master’s program at the University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine. During this intense 3-year period, Dr. Heller received training in all aspects of companion animal cancer care, including chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and immunotherapy. Upon completion of his residency and examinations, Dr. Heller attained Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), as well as a Master of Science degree from the University of Illinois.
Outside of work, Dr. Heller enjoys family time with his wife, who is also a veterinarian, and their two children. Spare time hobbies include travel, snowboarding, practicing yoga and watching live soccer. Dr. Heller is a South Florida native but has grown to love and appreciate the natural beauty and climate of his adopted home in Southern California. The Heller family has two canine members at home, Bambi and Thumper, and a bearded dragon, Yoda.
Dr David Heller DVM, Dip. ACVIM-Oncology
BOARD CERTIFICATION
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, subspecialty of Oncology September 2006
Education
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2003-2006
Master of Science degree in molecular oncology
RossUniversitySchool of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, June 2002
Senior clinical year at North CarolinaStateUniversity
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 1996-1998
Post graduate studies in Microbiology and Biochemistry
Florida StateUniversity, Tallahassee, FL
Bachelor of Science, Geography and Sociology, August 1995
Experience
California Veterinary Specialists, Ontario CA
June 2014-present
Staff Oncologist
VCAAdvanced Veterinary Care Center, Lawndale, CA
March 2014-present
Section Head, Oncology
Advanced Veterinary Care Center, Lawndale, CA
November 2009-March 2014
Section Head, Oncology
VCA All Care Animal Referral Center, Fountain Valley, CA
March 2007-November 2009
Section Head, Oncology
California Animal Referral and EmergencyHospital, Santa Barbara, CA
February 2006-February 2007
Staff Oncologist
University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 2003-2006
Residency in Medical Oncology
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 2002-2003
Rotating Internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery
Publications
Wypij J and Heller D. Pamidronate disodium for palliative therapy of feline bone-
invasive tumors. Veterinary Medicine International, 2014 In Press
Parshley DL, Larue SM, Kitchell B, Heller D, Dhaliwal RS. Abdominal irradiation as a
rescue therapy for feline gastrointestinal lymphoma: a retrospective study of 11
cats (2001-2008).J Feline Med Surg. 2011 Feb;13(2):63-8. Epub 2011 Jan 7.
Heller DA. Canine and Feline Plasma Cell Neoplasia: Treatment and Prognosis. PULSE
Journal, 2009 July.
Heller DA. Paraneoplastic Hypercalcemia: Identification & Treatment. PULSE Journal,
2008 November.
Heller DA. Canine Perianal Neoplasia. PULSE Journal, 2008 July.
Heller DA. Updates on the Management of Canine Sinonasal Carcinoma. PULSE
Journal, 2008 March.
Heller DA. Recent Advances in the Management of Oral Neoplasia. PULSE Journal,
2008 February.
Heller DA. Canine Thyroid Neoplasia: Treatment and Prognosis. PULSE Journal, 2008
January.
Heller DA and LaRue SM. Management of Canineand Feline Lymphoma: An update on
radiation therapy options.PULSE Journal, 2007 November.
Heller DA and LaRue SM. Canine Brain Tumors: Current Concepts and Future
Directions. PULSE Journal, 2007 August.
Heller DA, Fan TM, de Lorimier LP, et al. In vitro cyclooxygenase-2 protein expression
and enzymatic activity in neoplastic cells.J Vet Intern Med. 2007 Sep-Oct;
21(5):1048-55.
Heller DA, de Lorimier LP, Fan TM. An update on diagnosing and treating urinary
bladder transitional cell carcinoma in dogs. Veterinary Medicine, 2006 June;
369-381.
Heller DA, Clifford CA, Goldschmidt MG et al. Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is
associated with histologic tumor type in canine mammary carcinoma.Veterinary Pathology,2005 Nov;42(6):776-80.
Heller DA, Clifford CA, Goldschmidt MG et al.Assessment of Cyclooxygenase-2
expression in canine hemangiosarcoma, histiocytic sarcoma and mast cell tumor.
Veterinary Pathology, 2005 May;42(3):350-3.
Heller DA, Stebbins ME, Reynolds TL, Hauck ML. A Retrospective Study of 87 Cases of
Canine Soft Tissue Sarcomas, 1986–2001. Journal of Applied Research in
Veterinary Medicine, 2005 3(2): 81-87.
Professional Memberships
Veterinary Cancer Society, 2000-present
Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society, 2004
Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, 2007-present
ACVIM, 2003-present