Why are microchips so important anyways? And what the heck are they? Since Check The Chip Day is fast approaching, we thought this to be a timely blog.
What Is a Pet Microchip?
A microchip is a device about the size of a grain of rice implanted by a veterinary professional between your pet’s shoulder blades that has a unique ID number. Most animal hospitals, like us, and shelters can scan lost pets to see if they have a microchip, and if so, call the pet microchip company to get the owner’s contact information. Two things to take note of: 1. Having a microchip is super important, and 2. Keeping your contact information up-to-date is as important! If you can't be contacted when your pet is found...well...you get the idea.
How Do I Get A Pet Microchip?
We can help you with that! If your pet needs a microchip please stop by our office anytime to get one put in. We do not require appointments to place a microchip, and we don't have to sedate your pet for this quick procedure either.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know you've got questions about microchips...here are a couple of the one's we get asked a lot. Please follow the additional link to lots more FAQ's about microchips--why they are so important and how they work to get your lost pet back to you.
Q: How is a microchip implanted into an animal? Is it painful? Does it require surgery or anesthesia?
A: It is injected under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is no more painful than a typical injection, although the needle is slightly larger than those used for injection. No surgery or anesthesia is required—a pet microchip can be implanted during a routine veterinary office visit. If your pet is already under anesthesia for a procedure, such as neutering or spaying, the microchip can often be implanted while they're still under anesthesia.
Q: What kind of information is contained in the microchip? Is there a tracking device in it? Will it store my pet's medical information?
A: The microchips presently used in pets only contain identification numbers. No, the pet microchip is not a GPS device and cannot track your animal if it gets lost. Although the present technology microchip itself does not contain your pet's medical information, some microchip registration databases will allow you to store that information in the database for quick reference. Some microchips used in research laboratories and for microchipping some livestock and horses also transmit information about the animal's body temperature. Click here to see more q & a's about microchips from the folks at The American Veterinary Medical Association...
And as always please don't hesitate to give us a call if you any questions about microchipping your pet or how to update your contact information with the pet microchip registry at 317-291-3932!