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Should I Microchip My Pet? Mircochips - What They Are and How They Work

 Choosing to get a microchip implant is becoming a popular option for owners of dogs, cats, horses or any other animal which is part of a household.  Questions have arisen about the safety and effectiveness of the chip. The first thing we need to know is what they are.

The microchip used in animals are RIFD systems of which there are three types.  One contains a battery and transmits signals on its own.  The second: passive which has not battery and doesn't become active unless scanned and the third is battery assisted passive or BAP.  This chip has a battery, but is not active unless a scanner "wakes" it up.  The exterior of the chip is made of biocompatible material, glass, that won't hurt your pet.  There should be no allergic reaction. The  chip will probably have a polypropylene polymer cap which keeps it from moving around under the animal's skin.  Inside the cap and the glass capsule is the silicon chip; the location of the information.

Your vet implants the chip just under the skin at the back of the neck in dogs and cats.  Horses usually have implants injected on the left side of the neck and birds' chips are usually injected into their breast muscles. When scanned, your  pet is identified and you are listed as owner.

Some believe the chips can contribute to the development of tumors called fibroblasts though, not proven. Still, it would be wise to have your dog checked for any abnormalities at a normally scheduled vet visit.

Why microchip your pet?  Peace of mind, a way to be reunited if separated and proof of ownership are great reasons to microchip your pet. Without information, your risk your lost pet's euthanisation. A microchip will usually last about 25 years, or for the life of most pets.

In the past, multiple manufacturers required different equipment to read the chips and different registries to locate the owner, sometimes rendering them ineffective. Recently, the manufacture and distribution of universal scanners has eliminated this problem.   Also, there is a free Web site with the four major registries available to be searched if an implanted animal is found.  The site is http://petmicrochiplookup.org.

http://petmicrochiplookup.org has a detailed description along with an image of a chip.

With the great strides in technology, there is no valid argument against pet microchip implants.  After researching the chips, I will be taking my dogs to be implanted. If you have an experience with this topic, please leave a comment below.  



 

» left by Marijo Phelps⁽¹⁰⁾ (2 years 96 days ago.)

Even a pet kept totally indoors can be an escape artist at times and, you could be burglarized and have critters get out. Good article, Lorrie! Marijo

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» left by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁶³⁾ (2 years 85 days ago.)

You are right, Marijo.  For us it is peace of mind.  Thanks for reading and commenting.

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» left by ZoeySilverblade (2 years 87 days ago.)

I dont think my pets need it, we live away from any huge cities or towns with any danger from anything really

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» left by Lorrie Davids⁽⁶⁶³⁾ (2 years 85 days ago.)

Thanks, Zoey, for reading and leaving a comment.  We live in the 'burbs so for us the peace of mind the chip offers (knowing there is is way for someone to find us if our dogs are lost) is worth it.  One of our dogs, a Siberian Husky, loves to run.  We recently took a trip and we felt better knowing if our pup got out and tried to find us, the chances of her being returned were great.  One publication states the return rate of chipped pets is 93%  Ironically, I read that the day after I wrote the article. 

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