Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic

Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic At Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, a locally and privately owned practice in Rapid City, we treat your pet like family. Why?

With compassionate service and personalized care, we’re dedicated to your pet’s health and honored to be part of their journey. At Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, a locally and privately owned practice, we understand that your pet is family. Our Rapid City clinic offers compassionate care and exceptional service that sets us apart. We cherish the bond between you and your furry friend, striving to

provide the most personalized and effective care. Your pet’s well-being is our priority, and we look forward to serving your beloved companion for years to come. Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic was originally founded in 1947, when it was called Norris Veterinary Service. Back then, it was a mere two room “cow camp” and most of the services offered were for large animals. In 1984, the practice name was changed to Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic and with that name change came the first initial phases of transition into what today is a comprehensive and progressive veterinary practice. Over the years, our practice has seen many changes as we’ve improved our technology and equipment, expanded our services and assembled a team of highly skilled, caring veterinary professionals. The one thing that hasn’t changed, however, is our unwavering commitment to improving the lives of our patients, and helping each one of them enjoy as many happy, healthy years as possible. It is this dedication that allows us to deliver the most effective, comprehensive care available in the Rapid City and Black Hills area. Our hospital is made complete with an incredible team of veterinarians, technicians, assistants and support personnel who are passionate about animal health care. We love what we do, and we love working for you, our most valued asset. In fact, most of our staff has been with DHVC for nearly a decade and we’re still going strong! Because we cherish the special relationships we’ve built with you, and the lifelong bonds we’ve formed with your pets. The services provided to our patients include just about anything you could ever need to keep your animal friend happy and healthy, from wellness care and preventative medicine to advanced diagnostic testing to complex surgery and more. We also offer full service boarding to provide for all of your pet care needs in one convenient location. Our patients include traditional companion animals, such as dogs and cats, as well as pocket pets, birds, reptiles and exotics.

🌞🐾 Too Hot to Zoom? Try This InsteadWhen the temps rise, your pet doesn’t have to! 😅Hot days call for low-energy enrichm...
06/05/2026

🌞🐾 Too Hot to Zoom? Try This Instead

When the temps rise, your pet doesn’t have to! 😅

Hot days call for low-energy enrichment—aka fun that doesn’t require a full sprint around the yard.

Think:
Frozen treats 🧊
Snuffle mats & puzzle toys 🧠
Short training sessions indoors 🎾
A/C lounging with a favorite toy or chewy treat 😌

Mental stimulation can be just as satisfying as physical exercise (and way safer in the heat).

Because sometimes the best summer activity… is staying cool and slightly entertained. 💛

☀️🐾 Serving Summer FloofSome pets are rocking a fresh summer trim, others are fully committed to maximum fluff—and hones...
06/03/2026

☀️🐾 Serving Summer Floof

Some pets are rocking a fresh summer trim, others are fully committed to maximum fluff—and honestly, both are iconic. 😎

From sun naps to muddy paws and post-zoomie fur, summer always brings a little extra personality.

Here’s to staying cool, comfortable, and fabulously floofy all season long. 💛

✨ Looking for your next career in veterinary medicine? Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic is hiring a Registered Veterinary ...
06/02/2026

✨ Looking for your next career in veterinary medicine? Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic is hiring a Registered Veterinary Technician! 🐾

We’re searching for a compassionate, dependable RVT to join our growing veterinary team in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Whether you’re looking for:
✔ Full-time veterinary technician jobs
✔ Part-time vet tech opportunities
✔ A supportive veterinary workplace
✔ Meaningful work helping pets thrive

…we’d love to meet you!

At Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic, we believe great medicine starts with a great team. 💙

📍 Rapid City Veterinary Careers
📲 Learn more & apply today:
https://dakotahillsveterinary.com/employment-opportunities/

Swimming is a great way for dogs to cool off and get exercise—but a little prep goes a long way in keeping it safe. 🌊🐶No...
06/01/2026

Swimming is a great way for dogs to cool off and get exercise—but a little prep goes a long way in keeping it safe. 🌊🐶

Not all dogs are natural swimmers, so always supervise and consider a life jacket—especially in open water.

After the fun, don’t forget about their ears.
Water trapped in the ear canal can lead to irritation or infections (aka “swimmer’s ear”), especially in dogs who swim often or have floppy ears.

A quick ear check and gentle drying after swimming can help prevent discomfort later on.

And as always—fresh water, shaded breaks, and a rinse-off help keep your pup happy and healthy.

Because the goal is simple: more splashing, less stressing. 💛

🐾💡 10 Seconds Now… or $$$ Later?Sometimes the smallest habits make the biggest difference when it comes to your pet’s he...
05/29/2026

🐾💡 10 Seconds Now… or $$$ Later?

Sometimes the smallest habits make the biggest difference when it comes to your pet’s health—and your wallet.

⏱️ 10 seconds:
A quick paw check after a walk
Refilling monthly preventatives
Noticing a small change in behavior

💸 Can save you:
Treating an infected paw
Dealing with preventable parasites
Managing a bigger issue that started small

Preventive care isn’t just about health—it’s about catching things early, when they’re simpler (and less expensive) to manage.

Because a few seconds of attention today can help avoid a much bigger problem tomorrow. 💛

🐾 Pet Cancer Awareness Month 🐾Did you know cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting pets? The good news is th...
05/28/2026

🐾 Pet Cancer Awareness Month 🐾
Did you know cancer is one of the most common diseases affecting pets? The good news is that EARLY DETECTION can make a huge difference in treatment success and quality of life. ❤️

Many pets hide signs of illness, which is why routine screenings are so important. Common diagnostics your veterinarian may recommend include:
🔬 Bloodwork (CBC & Chemistry Panel)
✔ Detects infection, inflammation, and organ issues

🩺 Fine Needle Aspirate (FNA)
✔ Evaluates lumps or bumps quickly and minimally invasively

🧪 Flow Cytometry
✔ Helps diagnose blood cancers like lymphoma or leukemia

🖥 Abdominal Ultrasound
✔ Detects abnormalities in organs like the liver, spleen, and kidneys

🦴 Radiographs (X-rays)
✔ Checks for cancer spread and evaluates bone tumors

❤️ What You Can Do:
• Check your pet regularly for lumps or changes
• Schedule routine veterinary exams
• Follow senior pet screening recommendations
• Report appetite, behavior, or energy changes early
Together, we can help pets live longer, healthier lives. 🐶🐱

📞 Call 605-342-7498 today to learn about cancer screening recommendations tailored for your pet.

05/27/2026

🐾⏳ Why Do Pets Age So Fast?! (Dog Years vs. Cat Years)

We’ve all heard “1 dog year = 7 human years”… and maybe wondered—what about cats? 😅

🐱 Cats age fast early on
Year 1 ≈ 15 human years
Year 2 ≈ 24 human years
After that, each year ≈ 4 human years

🐶 Dogs aren’t one-size-fits-all
They also age quickly at first—but size matters:

Small dogs:
Year 1 ≈ 15 → Year 2 ≈ 24 → then ~4–5/year

Medium dogs:
Year 1 ≈ 15 → Year 2 ≈ 24 → then ~5–6/year

Large/giant dogs:
Year 1 ≈ 15 → Year 2 ≈ 24 → then ~7–8+/year

So… why do they age faster?

Pets go through rapid growth and development early in life—their bodies mature much faster than ours. For dogs, especially larger breeds, faster growth and higher metabolic demands can also contribute to earlier aging and shorter lifespans.

Who doesn’t love a big tabby cat?  “Jack” is a single male seeking companionship.  He is 10 years old which is old enoug...
05/26/2026

Who doesn’t love a big tabby cat? “Jack” is a single male seeking companionship. He is 10 years old which is old enough to have a good Investment portfolio but not too old to have fun. If you don’t plan on feeding him on time be aware he will let you know. He will need to have a prescription urinary food to prevent crystals from forming in his urine. He is current on his vaccines and deworming. Please give us a call if you want to meet this dapper gentleman.

🇺🇸🐾 Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served—On Two Legs and FourToday we remember the brave men and women who gave every...
05/25/2026

🇺🇸🐾 Memorial Day: Honoring Those Who Served—On Two Legs and Four

Today we remember the brave men and women who gave everything in service to our country.

And alongside them, we honor the military working dogs who served with equal courage and loyalty. 🐶

These dogs are more than companions—they are trained to protect, detect, and support in ways that save lives. From patrol and detection to search and rescue, their role is critical—and their bond with their handlers is unmatched.

They don’t understand the meaning of sacrifice—but they show us what loyalty looks like every day.

This Memorial Day, we remember them all. ❤️

🐾💛 Arthritis Awareness Month: The Science Behind Subtle ChangesOsteoarthritis is a progressive, inflammatory joint disea...
05/22/2026

🐾💛 Arthritis Awareness Month: The Science Behind Subtle Changes

Osteoarthritis is a progressive, inflammatory joint disease—and in pets, it often begins long before obvious lameness appears.

Early changes are typically biomechanical, not dramatic. You may notice decreased range of motion, altered gait patterns, or reduced willingness to perform high-impact movements like jumping or running.

After activity, mild inflammation within the joint can lead to stiffness or delayed soreness—especially following hikes or longer periods of exercise. Monitoring how your pet moves after activity can be just as important as during it.

Consistent preventative care and routine wellness evaluations play a key role in early detection. Identifying joint changes sooner allows for more effective intervention strategies to support mobility, reduce inflammation, and slow disease progression.

Because with arthritis, what you catch early can significantly impact long-term comfort and function. 💛

Address

1571 E Highway 44
Rapid City, SD
57703

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 7pm
Tuesday 7am - 7pm
Wednesday 7am - 7pm
Thursday 7am - 7pm
Friday 7am - 7pm
Saturday 7am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+16053427498

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