Chipping your dog increases the likelihood of locating them if they become lost. Our veterinarians in Weldon Spring explore the advantages of dog microchipping.
What is a pet microchip?
Veterinarians and animal shelters can employ microchips, which are small radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips, to find pet owners when their animals are discovered. These microchips are usually implanted beneath the skin and are roughly the size of a grain of rice.
What can I expect from the microchipping procedure?
Your vet will position your dog for the microchip injection, and they will place a needle preloaded with the microchip into an application syringe or gun for insertion into your dog's body.
Typically, the microchip will go into the subcutaneous tissue between your dog's shoulder blades, and your dog should either lie on their stomach or stand for accurate placement. The vet will gently lift some loose skin, insert the needle, and inject the microchip swiftly. When the vet triggers the applicator, the microchip will be injected into the tissue.
Implanting a microchip in your dog doesn't involve surgery. Instead, the chip will be inserted just under the skin using a needle, causing minimal discomfort. In fact, most dogs barely react to the microchip implantation.
After your dog has been microchipped, you'll need to register the chip's serial number and your dog's information with the company that made the chip. If your dog is found, the microchip's serial number can match your dog's information to help identify you as the pet owner.
Why not just get a collar and tag for my dog?
Collars and tags play a crucial role in ensuring lost dogs' safe return to their owners. These simple tools enable people to easily read the tag and dial the listed phone number to reach the owner.
To ensure your dog's safety, it's essential to always have collars and identification tags on them. Make sure to include your name and contact number on your dog's tag.
While equipping your dog with a collar and identification tag is valuable, it's important to note that tags can sometimes fall off or get lost, leaving your dog without any identifying information. Microchips offer a permanent means of identification for your dog.
NOTE: It is important to keep your microchip registration information up to date. Be sure to contact the microchip company to update your information if you move or change your contact number.
Microchips, while reliable, do not serve as visible signals that your dog belongs to a family. Therefore, they should not replace license tags and collars. Instead, having your dog both microchipped and equipped with a collar and tag provides the best chance of reuniting with your dog if they become lost and separated from you.
How do microchips for dogs work?
The vet or rescue organization will use a special scanner to read the microchip if your dog has been found. Microchip scanners are universal and can read all modern chips, regardless of their brand. When the scanner is passed over the dog's back and sides, the microchip will transmit its unique identification number to the scanner.
The rescuer will then contact the national database to find out your phone number so that you can be notified that your dog has been found. Should your dog be stolen, microchips can also be very helpful when it comes to proving ownership.
Are there risks to microchipping my dog?
Some pet owners may worry about pain, allergic reactions, or the microchip moving inside their pets. This identification method has a long history of use and has been successfully implanted in millions of pets over the years. Recent advancements in microchip technology have further reduced the chances of rejection or allergic reactions.
Microchips enable dogs to reunite with their families, even after years of separation. Contact your local veterinarians at Weldon Spring to inquire about getting your canine companion microchipped without delay.