Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs – Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic in Rapid City, SD

Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic is an animal clinic in Rapid City, SD, that provides comprehensive veterinary care for pets throughout the Black Hills and surrounding areas. We created this FAQ to answer common questions about appointments, wellness care, diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, boarding, hospitalization, and other veterinary services.

New Clients and General Care

Where is Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic located, and what are your hours?

We are located at 1571 E. Hwy 44, Rapid City, SD 57703, and serve families throughout the Black Hills and surrounding areas.
Our clinic hours are:

• Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

For our current location, clinic hours, boarding hours, and additional contact information, please visit our Contact page. You can also reach us by phone at 605-342-7498.

How do I schedule an appointment with Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic?

To schedule an appointment, please call us at 605-342-7498 or via our Contact form. We are happy to answer any questions you may have before your visit.

For additional information about scheduling and your first visit, please review our What to Expect page.

What should I expect during my pet’s first visit?

During your pet’s first visit, we will discuss your concerns, review relevant health information, and perform a thorough examination. Depending on your pet’s needs, we may recommend preventive care, diagnostic testing, or treatment.

We understand that visiting a new veterinary practice can be unfamiliar for both you and your pet. Our goal is to make the process straightforward while giving you the information you need to make informed decisions about your companion’s care.

New clients can find additional information about appointments, cancellations, and what to expect on our What to Expect page.

What types of pets does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic treat?

We provide veterinary care for a variety of companion animals. We primarily see dogs and cats. We also treat reptiles, birds, rabbits, Guinea pigs, and ferrets.

Because different species have different medical and husbandry requirements, we recommend calling us at 605-342-7498 if you have questions about whether we can provide care for your particular pet.

How often should my pet have a veterinary examination?

That depends on the pet. There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on the animal’s age, species, lifestyle, health history, and individual care needs. Most animals should see a vet at least once a year. Puppies, kittens, senior pets, and pets with chronic health conditions may benefit from more frequent examinations. We can recommend a schedule.
Regular examinations allow us to monitor your pet’s health and identify changes that may not be obvious at home. These visits also allow us to discuss vaccinations, nutrition, weight management, dental health, parasite prevention, and other preventive-care needs.

Emergency and Urgent Care

Does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic provide round-the-clock care for hospitalized pets?

Yes. We provide 24-hour pet care for hospitalized pets. Our registered veterinary technicians provide ongoing care and monitoring for hospitalized patients around the clock, including overnight and during holiday weekends. Knowing that your hospitalized pet will be cared for and monitored overnight can be very reassuring.

Please note that, while we do offer round-the-clock patient care, we are not a 24-hour emergency hospital.

What should I do if my pet has an emergency during regular clinic hours?

If your pet experiences an emergency during our regular clinic hours, call us at 605-342-7498 as soon as possible. Our team can provide guidance and prepare for your pet’s arrival.

If you are unsure whether a sudden change in your pet’s health needs immediate attention, call us so we can help you decide the best next step.

What happens if my pet has an emergency after the clinic is closed?

Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic is not a 24-hour emergency hospital. If your pet has an emergency after our regular clinic hours, seek immediate care at an appropriate veterinary emergency facility.

If your pet requires hospitalization at an emergency facility, our team can resume their care when our clinic reopens. Our 24-hour patient care service is available for hospitalized patients receiving care through Dakota Hills.

Services and Medical Care

What veterinary services does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic offer?

We provide a broad range of veterinary services, including wellness care and vaccinations, allergies and dermatology, nutrition and weight management, diagnostics, dentistry, surgery, pain management, exercise rehabilitation, boarding, 24-hour patient care, advanced services, and end-of-life care.

You can review our complete range of veterinary services to learn more about the care available through our practice.
We consider your pet’s individual health, age, lifestyle, and needs when developing care recommendations.

What diagnostic services are available for pets?

Our veterinary diagnostic services help us investigate illness and injury, evaluate your pet’s health, and develop appropriate treatment plans. Our advanced diagnostic services include endoscopy, complete abdominal ultrasound imaging, and baseline echocardiograms.

Having diagnostic tools available allows us to gather more information about what may be affecting your pet and use those findings to guide treatment.

What advanced veterinary services does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic offer?

Our Advanced Services include specialized diagnostic, surgical, orthopedic, and regenerative medicine options. These include endoscopy, complete abdominal ultrasound imaging, baseline echocardiograms, laparoscopic surgery, fracture repair and bone plating, CBLO and extracapsular ACL repair, dislocated hip reduction, and femoral head osteotomy (FHO).
We also offer regenerative medicine, including PRP injections and stem cell infusion. We may consider these options when appropriate for your pet’s individual condition and treatment needs.

Does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic provide orthopedic surgery?

Yes. Our orthopedic surgical services include fracture repair and bone plating, CBLO and extracapsular ACL repair, dislocated hip reduction, and femoral head osteotomy (FHO).
We will evaluate your pet and discuss treatment options appropriate for their specific condition.

What is exercise rehabilitation, and which dogs can benefit from it?

Our canine exercise rehabilitation program helps alleviate pain, improve mobility, increase strength, enhance performance, and support recovery. This is one of our more advanced veterinary care services and a special interest of Dr. Stonecipher, who became certified in Canine Exercise Rehabilitation in 2015. Rehabilitation may benefit dogs recovering from injuries or surgery, dogs needing weight control, senior dogs experiencing mobility changes, dogs with physical deformities, and athletic dogs needing conditioning and strength training. Depending on your dog’s needs, rehabilitation may include an underwater treadmill, therapeutic laser treatments, therapeutic ultrasound, neuromuscular electrical nerve stimulation, TENS therapy, balance and strengthening exercises, and massage. Preventive joint care can also be part of a rehabilitation program. Rehabilitation is tailored to your dog’s specific needs rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.

Does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic offer a Wellness Program?

Yes. Our Wellness Program provides tailored packages designed around your pet’s current life stage. The program includes preventive care, available add-ons, and savings on annual preventive care. We also offer specific wellness programs for puppies and kittens.

A wellness program can help you stay organized with routine preventive care while giving us a structured way to monitor your pet’s health throughout different life stages.

Does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic provide dental care?

Yes. We provide comprehensive veterinary dental care to help protect your pet’s oral health and address dental problems when they develop. Our dental services include professional dental cleanings, polishing, dental X-rays, oral examinations, and treatment of dental disease, with additional procedures available when needed.

Regular dental care allows us to identify oral health problems that may not be obvious at home. If you notice bad breath, difficulty eating, changes in chewing, excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, or other changes involving your pet’s mouth, contact us to schedule an examination.

Learn more about our dentistry services and how we can help maintain your pet’s oral health.

Preventative Care and Ongoing Support

What preventive care does my pet need?

Preventive care may include regular physical examinations, appropriate vaccinations, parasite prevention, dental care, nutrition and weight management, and diagnostic screening based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and health needs.

Our Wellness Program provides structured options for preventive care throughout your pet’s life. Preventive examinations are particularly valuable because pets can hide signs of illness. Regular visits allow us to look for subtle changes and address concerns before they become more advanced.

Does Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic offer pet boarding in Rapid City?

Yes. Boarding is available for pets whose families need care while traveling or when they can’t provide care at home.

The boarding hours at our Rapid City Pet Kennel are:

• Monday-Friday: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. / 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Saturday: 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. / 3 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday: No drop-offs or pick-ups

Boarding hours are separate from our regular veterinary clinic hours. You can find our boarding schedule, clinic hours, location, and phone number on our Contact page.

What is the cancellation policy for appointments?

If you can’t make your scheduled appointment, please notify us as soon as possible so we can help you reschedule. Appointments canceled less than two hours in advance may be subject to a cancellation fee.

You can find additional information for new and returning clients on our What to Expect page.

How can I help my pet stay healthy between veterinary visits?

You can support your pet’s health by providing appropriate nutrition, maintaining a healthy weight, keeping recommended vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date, monitoring dental health, and watching for changes in appetite, activity, mobility, behavior, or normal routines.

You know your pet’s normal habits better than anyone. If something seems different, contacting us early can help determine whether your pet needs an examination or whether you can simply monitor the change at home.

Whether your pet needs routine preventive care, diagnostic testing, treatment, rehabilitation, dental care, or ongoing support, we are here to help you make informed decisions about their health. If you have questions about your pet’s care or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Dakota Hills Veterinary Clinic at 605-342-7498 or visit our Contact page.