Microchipping
We all have seen a stray dog or cat—at some point— and thought, they must be lost, or I wonder if their owner is looking for them. We are often sympathetic when we see animals who have run away or accidentally strayed because none of us want to experience that heart-sinking feeling when there’s a chance our own (pet) baby may be lost. Of course, to prevent mishaps, having a secure collar with proper credentials is always good, but microchipping is an easy go-to. Let’s talk about it.
Microchipping is extremely popular, and I recommend it for any dog or cat who has a home. It’s been done for more than 30 years, and while any animal can technically receive a microchip, it’s more commonly implanted in dogs and cats since they are more prone to being displaced. But, I’ve implanted them on goats, cows, and even pigs.
The procedure is virtually painless, and the injection is done in less than 45 seconds. The skin is pulled back, and a needle pushes the chip into the body, just underneath the skin. It’s the equivalent of a vaccination, but with a bigger needle. Because the chip is slightly larger than a large grain of rice, it doesn’t hurt the animal— nor does it cause discomfort. It’s placed on their back, between the shoulder blade. They may feel an initial pinch, but the pain will be no different than what they feel during a vaccination. It’s typical and ideal for animals between 12 and 16 weeks old to get their microchip. But, it can be done at any age.
Though side effects seldom occur, and complications are extremely rare, many pet owners want to know what potential harm could result. It is an injection through the skin, so it’s possible for an infection to develop. Also, the body could have a reaction to the foreign object or swelling could take place around the implantation area. The microchip could also migrate from the shoulder and move down the back. It’s not a bad situation, it just makes it more difficult to find when the animal is scanned. Again, these situations are rare.
“How does this all work, Dr. Blue?” Well, I’m glad you asked. You must register the chip (fees vary by brand and service provider) and give your contact information which is stored in a database. There’s an ID number associated with your pet that registers to you. When that number is plugged into the database, the information you provided will appear. The chip does no good if it’s not registered; it would be nothing more than just a number. Remember, it’s not a tracking device or GPS. Having a microchip simply means the pet has an owner. When an animal is scanned, it’s painless. Imagine a metal detector trying to find metal in the sand. It’s just a wand that waved around the shoulder blade. If for some reason the chip has migrated, the wand will scan around the body until it’s located.
Having a microchip implanted is a very simple process— one that’s inexpensive, painless and beneficial. We never want the unthinkable to happen. But, it’s better to take preventative measures when it comes to protecting our pets. It only takes one time for a cat who normally stays inside to escape outdoors. Think about how much safer it would be when traveling, when you have a house sitter, or when your pet is in a boarding facility. Think about the animals who have been saved or reunited with their owner. The benefits of having the microchip implanted truly outweigh the risk.
