Should i microchip dog

Most veterinary clinics keep microchips on hand; so, it is likely that your pet can be implanted with a microchip the same day as your appointment.

Sometimes local shelters or businesses will host a microchipping event, too. A: It looks like a simple-enough procedure to implant a microchip — after all, it's just like giving an injection, right? Well, yes and no. Although it looks like a simple injection, it is very important that the microchip is implanted properly. Using too much force, placing the needle too deeply, or placing it in the wrong location can not only make it difficult to detect or read the microchip in the future, but it can also cause life-threatening problems.

Microchips should really be implanted under supervision by a veterinarian, because veterinarians know where the microchips should be placed, know how to place them, and know how to recognize the signs of a problem and treat one if it occurs.

Q: Once the microchip has been implanted, what do I do? Is there any sort of maintenance needed? A: There really is no maintenance required for microchips themselves, although you do need to register the microchip and keep your contact information up-to-date in the microchip registration database.

If you notice any abnormalities at the site where the microchip was implanted, such as drainage oozing or swelling, contact your veterinarian. Q: I heard about a dog that was euthanized by a shelter because his microchip wasn't detected by the shelter's scanner.

How can I know that won't happen to my pet? A: Unfortunately, there have been instances where a pet's microchip was not detected by the animal shelter's scanner, and the pet was euthanized after the usual holding period because they could not locate its owner. Although these are heartbreaking circumstances, the good news is that this is now unlikely to happen because of the availability of universal forward-and-backward reading scanners.

A: As with almost anything, it's not a foolproof system. Although it's very rare, microchips can fail and become unable to be detected by a scanner. Problems with the scanners are also not common, but can occur. Human error, such as improper scanning technique or incomplete scanning of an animal, can also lead to failure to detect a microchip. Some of the animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip include the following: animals that won't stay still or struggle too much while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip implantation site; excessive fat deposits in the region of implantation; and a metal collar or a collar with a lot of metal on it.

All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip. See our literature review for guidelines on scanning procedures to reduce the chances of missing a microchip. Q: My pet has two different frequency microchips implanted. Do I need to have one removed? Will they interfere with each other?

Which microchip will be detected by the scanner? A: No, you do not need to have one of the microchips removed and no, they will not interfere with each other. The microchip detected by the scanner will depend on the scanner used — if it is a universal forward- and backward-reading scanner, it will probably detect each chip as it is passed over it. To detect the other chip, the scanner has to be reset and passed over the area where it is located.

If it is a scanner that only reads one microchip frequency, it will only detect a microchip of that specific frequency and will not detect or read the other microchip.

If you know your pet has more than one microchip implanted, make sure you keep the database information updated for each microchip. People don't routinely assume there's more than one microchip because it is very uncommon , so they will try to find the owner based on the registry number of the microchip they detect.

Can I do that? A: Sure you can. Both chips will function normally. If your pet is scanned with a scanner that only reads kHz chips, only the kHz chip will be detected. If your pet is scanned with a universal forward- and backward-reading scanner, it could detect one or both chips separately see the question above this one for more information. What do I need to do? A: Your pet will need to be implanted with an ISO microchip before it will be allowed into that country.

But that's not the only thing you need to know: countries differ widely on their importation rules, including different regulations about required vaccinations and quarantine periods once the animal enters that country.

If you do some research and preparation, your pet's relocation can go smoothly. Contact the country of origin to determine their requirements regarding microchips as well as vaccinations, certificates, etc.

Alternatively, you can contact an experienced animal shipper who is well-versed in the processes and regulations affecting animal shipment. Is microchipping painful? When should microchipping be done? Where can I microchip my pet? Is microchipping mandatory for cats and dogs?

Who do I contact if I need to change my contact details with my pet's microchip registry database? Home Companion Animals Pet Ownership. Tagged: Pet care Pet owner basics.

Was this article helpful? However, many owners still have concerns about the concept of having their pet chipped. To help you make an informed decision about dog microchipping, here are the pros and cons that you need to know. There are a range of different reasons why owners are turning to microchipping over other conventional forms of identifications such as tags and collars.

These include:. Unlike tags and collars which can be removed should someone so wish, such as when stealing an animal, microchips are inserted under the skin. They are about the same size as a grain of rice which also makes it difficult to find the exact location of the chip once inserted.

Similarly, there is no way of doctoring a microchip ID. While a pet with a collar or tag could have the personal information on it replaced by a cunning thief, the ID number stored on the microchip refers to a database entry which can only be changed with the chip provider after passing rigorous security checks. In fact, the procedure takes seconds and no anesthetic is required.

We live in an age where identity theft is a real problem. Fortunately, the personal information that you share when you microchip your pet is very safe.

No data other than the unique reference number is stored on the chip itself, and this refers to an entry on a database that is managed and secured by the microchip provider.

When the microchip is scanned by a vet or shelter, it transmits the ID number. Not quite. Remember to keep your contact information up to date with the registry, too. While microchip technology is pretty mature, different registries offer different services. Collars, harnesses, and tags can break off or be removed.

Even if tags stay on, over time they can become hard to read. A microchip will permanently identify your pet when it gets lost or if it is ever stolen.