Be Prepared - Microchip Your Pet!
It is a heartbreaking event for any pet parent to have to endure. Even with our best intentions, pets seem to find a way to slip out and away. Their natural curiosity can get them into trouble. Have you taken the proper steps to assure your pet is identified?
The first step is to keep a collar with a tag on your pet. The tag should have your pets name, your name and current contact information. A current rabies tag should also be on the collar. If your pet has any special medical needs, you may document that on a tag as well.
The second step is to have your pet microchipped. Studies have shown that pets with microchips are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owners. A microchip is a small enveloped electronic chip that is about the size of a grain of rice. They do not have a battery, but rather, are activated by the scanner as it passes over them. A microchip is not a GPS tracking device. When a lost pet is found, they are frequently taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic. Staff will scan the pet for a microchip. Provided the pet's microchip number was properly registered by the owner, the chip number can be traced to the owner.
Having a microchip implanted is a safe, quick, and a well-tolerated procedure. It can be performed in most patients during a routine wellness visit, but is also commonly performed while a pet is under anesthesia for their spay or neuter. Microchips are safe. A British Small Animal Veterinary Association database review indicates that only 0.01% adverse issues rate in 4 million microchips implanted. The most common problem reported was movement of the chip from the original implant site over time.
Regular scanning of the microchip during wellness visits will reassure you that your pets chip scans correctly, is in the correct location, and serves as a reminder to keep your owner contact information up to date.
It is a heartbreaking event for any pet parent to have to endure. Even with our best intentions, pets seem to find a way to slip out and away. Their natural curiosity can get them into trouble. Have you taken the proper steps to assure your pet is identified?The first step is to keep a collar with a tag on your pet. The tag should have your pets name, your name and current contact information. A current rabies tag should also be on the collar. If your pet has any special medical needs, you may document that on a tag as well.
The second step is to have your pet microchipped. Studies have shown that pets with microchips are significantly more likely to be reunited with their owners. A microchip is a small enveloped electronic chip that is about the size of a grain of rice. They do not have a battery, but rather, are activated by the scanner as it passes over them. A microchip is not a GPS tracking device. When a lost pet is found, they are frequently taken to a shelter or veterinary clinic. Staff will scan the pet for a microchip. Provided the pet's microchip number was properly registered by the owner, the chip number can be traced to the owner.
Having a microchip implanted is a safe, quick, and a well-tolerated procedure. It can be performed in most patients during a routine wellness visit, but is also commonly performed while a pet is under anesthesia for their spay or neuter. Microchips are safe. A British Small Animal Veterinary Association database review indicates that only 0.01% adverse issues rate in 4 million microchips implanted. The most common problem reported was movement of the chip from the original implant site over time.
Regular scanning of the microchip during wellness visits will reassure you that your pets chip scans correctly, is in the correct location, and serves as a reminder to keep your owner contact information up to date.
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article written by:
Laura Rau-Holl, DVM
Companion Animal Hospital Kenosha
