8 Things About Microchipping You May Not Have Known

Millions of pets are lost each year. While some are eventually recovered, others never find their way back home. Safe pet recovery is often based on one key factor: whether the animal has a microchip or not. Microchipping is a permanent form of identification. Here are some things about microchipping you may not have known.  


 

1. Microchipping Is Easy and Painless

Microchips are tiny and are implanted in a relatively painless and quick procedure. The rice-sized chip is embedded under the skin, where it remains permanently. If your pet is sensitive, the vet can apply a topical anesthetic to the injection site to ease the sting. 

 

2. Implanted Microchips Can Migrate

Microchips are usually implanted between the shoulder blades where the large muscles keep them in place. However, dogs’ muscles tend to shrink with age, and the skin becomes loose. It can cause the chip to become dislodged and move to the lower back or side.   


 

3. Microchips Last a Lifetime 

Microchips are made from biocompatible materials and are rarely felt after insertion. The pet can have them throughout their life, and they do not degrade. The chips do not require recharging and do not wear out. Once implanted, they will not need replacement. 


 

4. You Need to Complete the Registration 

When filling out the registration, make sure to complete all details. Include more than one phone number in case you are unreachable on one of your numbers. Provide other modes of contact, such as your home address, email, and emergency contacts. 


 

5. Update Your Contact Details As Necessary

If you move or you change your phone number, make sure to update your information. Contact the microchip company immediately with your new contact details. Remember, the microchip is useless if the company cannot reach you. 


 

6. You Should Get the Chip Checked Regularly

The best way to ensure that the microchip remains functional is by having it checked regularly. Ask your vet at Cochise Animal Hospital to run a quick check during each visit. It will help ensure that the microchip is reading correctly and with ease. The vet will locate the chip if it has migrated.


 

7. Microchipping Is the Only Permanent Identification  

Microchips are the only form of permanent ID, and they have a national registry database. It means that one can locate a missing pet in any part of the country. There are different microchip manufacturers, but the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has a universal research tool, allowing users to contact the registration company. 


 

8. Microchips Do Not Store Personal Information

Contrary to what some think, microchipping will not expose your personal information. The chip contains a unique number, and it is not a GPS. When the chip is scanned, it emits an ID code that allows the registration company to contact you personally. 

Pets with a microchip are more likely to be reunited with their families. Pets can be microchipped at any age. The chips are cost-effective when considering the value of losing your beloved pet. Unlike other forms of identification, microchips cannot be removed and do not fall off or become illegible. 

For more about microchipping that you may not have known, visit Cochise Animal Hospital at our Scottsdale, Arizona office. Call (480) 991-2858 to schedule an appointment today.