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.

Kids are GREAT at loving pets. 🐶💙But learning how to listen to them matters too.Teaching children to recognize pet body ...
06/12/2026

Kids are GREAT at loving pets. 🐶💙
But learning how to listen to them matters too.

Teaching children to recognize pet body language can help prevent fear, stress, and even bites or scratches.

Here are a few important signs to teach kids:

😊 “I’m comfortable”
✔️ Loose body
✔️ Soft eyes
✔️ Relaxed tail
✔️ Approaching willingly

😟 “I need space”
⚠️ Lip licking
⚠️ Yawning
⚠️ Looking away
⚠️ Tucked tail
⚠️ Ears back

🚫 “Please stop”
🚩 Growling
🚩 Hissing
🚩 Stiff body posture
🚩 Showing teeth
🚩 Swatting

One of the best lessons we can teach kids is this:
Pets communicate with their bodies first — we just have to pay attention. 🩺🐾

Save this for families with kids + pets!

“Everything looked normal at home.”We hear that all the time — and sometimes, that’s exactly why bloodwork matters. 🩺🩸Ph...
06/10/2026

“Everything looked normal at home.”
We hear that all the time — and sometimes, that’s exactly why bloodwork matters. 🩺🩸

Physical exams tell us a LOT, but bloodwork helps us see what we can’t:
🔬 Early kidney disease
🔬 Liver changes
🔬 Infection & inflammation
🔬 Diabetes
🔬 Thyroid issues
🔬 Anemia & dehydration

Many pets hide illness incredibly well, especially in the early stages. Bloodwork gives us a look “behind the scenes” before symptoms become obvious.

That’s why routine lab work is one of the best tools we have for catching problems early and helping pets stay healthier, longer. 💙

Ask us if your pet is due for bloodwork. 🐾

Ever notice your dog sniffs EVERYTHING more in the summer? 🐶🌿That’s actually science.Warm air helps scents travel farthe...
06/08/2026

Ever notice your dog sniffs EVERYTHING more in the summer? 🐶🌿
That’s actually science.

Warm air helps scents travel farther and linger longer, so your dog’s nose gets a seasonal “signal boost.” Add in more wildlife, plants, and outdoor activity, and their brain is BUSY decoding the world around them. 🧠✨

And the best part? Sniffing is great mental enrichment for dogs.

Just keep an eye out for:
🚩 Excessive sneezing
🚩 Head shaking
🚩 Pawing at the face
🚩 Nose discharge

Summer noses can also mean exposure to foxtails, ticks, parasites, and allergens.

If something feels off, let us know. 💙

What does your dog sniff the longest on walks? 👇

🌞🐾 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.

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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