Microchips are Simple, Safe and can Save your pet's life!
A post about Microchips in the Facebook forum: "Lost Dogs in Monmouth County" received responses from several Barnside Veterinary Hospital clients. So it seems like a good time to review Microchips and pets.
What is a Microchip?
A microchip is a sterile, inert, biocompatible medical-grade plastic-coated passive RFID chip.
They are tiny-- about the length of and half the width of a Tic-Tac.
It is a PERMANENT means of identification!
They are tiny-- about the length of and half the width of a Tic-Tac.
It is a PERMANENT means of identification!
How is it implanted? Does it hurt?
The microchip is implanted by injecting it under the skin with a special pre-loaded syringe.
The syringe needle is about the same size as the needle used when you donate blood.
We routinely implant microchips during routine appointments at Barnside. A special, yummy treat usually distracts them from the little pinch.
We also often implant microchips while the pets are under anesthesia for spay or neuter.
The syringe needle is about the same size as the needle used when you donate blood.
We routinely implant microchips during routine appointments at Barnside. A special, yummy treat usually distracts them from the little pinch.
We also often implant microchips while the pets are under anesthesia for spay or neuter.
Where is it placed?
The standard location is to implant a chip under the skin, in-between the shoulder blades.
This is a good location because there is a lot of loose skin and there are not a lot of nerve endings, so it's less painful.
A "universal location" for implanting a microchip makes it easier to find the chip.
This is a good location because there is a lot of loose skin and there are not a lot of nerve endings, so it's less painful.
A "universal location" for implanting a microchip makes it easier to find the chip.
What are possible microchip problems?
The first set (and majority) of problems are based on human failure.
Implantation-- There are thousands of shelters, rescue groups and individuals implanting microchips in dogs and cats. There is skill in properly assessing the individual, handling the syringe, implanting the chip, insuring functionality and completing accurate paperwork.
Recovery-- It is important to use a Universal Scanner with fresh batteries. Our nurses are taught to scan the entire pet from head to tail, the whole trunk and legs, while holding the scanner right up against the skin.
Registration-- MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER YOUR PET'S MICROCHIP WITH YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION!!!!!
The saddest cases are the pets that are brought to us and HAVE a microchip, but there is no one registered to it.
The second set of problems are based on the pet.
Chip Migration-- Microchips are tiny and smooth so they don't cause irritation. But this means they can slide or "migrate" between planes of skin, muscle and fat. Migration is rare and the microchips usually don't move more than a few inches from where they are implanted. This isn't a problem as long as the rescuer knows to scan the entire pet.
Obesity-- The microchip gets its power from the scanner. The microchip must be in close proximity to receive power and emit the chip number back to the scanner. An inch or two of body fat can impede that signal.
Implantation-- There are thousands of shelters, rescue groups and individuals implanting microchips in dogs and cats. There is skill in properly assessing the individual, handling the syringe, implanting the chip, insuring functionality and completing accurate paperwork.
Recovery-- It is important to use a Universal Scanner with fresh batteries. Our nurses are taught to scan the entire pet from head to tail, the whole trunk and legs, while holding the scanner right up against the skin.
Registration-- MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER YOUR PET'S MICROCHIP WITH YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION!!!!!
The saddest cases are the pets that are brought to us and HAVE a microchip, but there is no one registered to it.
The second set of problems are based on the pet.
Chip Migration-- Microchips are tiny and smooth so they don't cause irritation. But this means they can slide or "migrate" between planes of skin, muscle and fat. Migration is rare and the microchips usually don't move more than a few inches from where they are implanted. This isn't a problem as long as the rescuer knows to scan the entire pet.
Obesity-- The microchip gets its power from the scanner. The microchip must be in close proximity to receive power and emit the chip number back to the scanner. An inch or two of body fat can impede that signal.
How does my lost pet get returned me?
If your pet shows up at Barnside Veterinary Hospital we will use a Universal Scanner to search him for a chip. A unique ID number shows up. There are many brands of chips, but the sequence of numbers and/or letters can help us determine which brand it is. If we can't easily identify the brand of chip, we always search several national databases to help us find you.
Once we contact the company, THEY will contact you and advise you that your pet is at Barnside. For YOUR security, most companies will not give YOUR info directly to us, unless you pre-authorize it at the time of registration.
Once we contact the company, THEY will contact you and advise you that your pet is at Barnside. For YOUR security, most companies will not give YOUR info directly to us, unless you pre-authorize it at the time of registration.
Does it cost a lot?
Generally, no. Certainly not compared to the cost of a broken heart because your pet is lost.
At Barnside, you pay a flat fee for implanting your pet's microchip. The registration is free and there are no further fees associated with it.
Many microchip companies allow you to pay a monthly or yearly fee for additional services, such as contacting area vets and shelters if you report you pet as lost, etc.
At Barnside, you pay a flat fee for implanting your pet's microchip. The registration is free and there are no further fees associated with it.
Many microchip companies allow you to pay a monthly or yearly fee for additional services, such as contacting area vets and shelters if you report you pet as lost, etc.
Is it GPS?
No. The RFID Microchip can be so tiny because it does not require any external power source. Although GPS identification tags are available, they have several drawbacks:
1) They need batteries- the batteries can die, and batteries mean a larger ID tag.
2) They attach to your pet's collar. They are not implanted, so they are useless if your pet loses its collar or someone removes the collar.
3) A GPS might help YOU track your pet (if it's within range) but will not help someone ELSE get your pet back to you.
1) They need batteries- the batteries can die, and batteries mean a larger ID tag.
2) They attach to your pet's collar. They are not implanted, so they are useless if your pet loses its collar or someone removes the collar.
3) A GPS might help YOU track your pet (if it's within range) but will not help someone ELSE get your pet back to you.
What about tattoos?
There is no national database to register your pet's tattoo. If you tattoo your phone number- your number could change. If you use your social security number- that would be a security risk. The tattoo would need to be placed on the belly or groin (dog fighters and other sadistic individuals could cut off an ear flap).
What about tags?
Absolutely, tags are a great idea! They are inexpensive and easy. If your pet is wearing a Barnside rabies tag and someone finds her, we can look up the ID number and contact you. A township license tag also has an ID number. There are fancy tags that can easily store important medical information about your pet. Collars can be embroidered with your pet's name and your phone number.
BUT these are all based on the hope that your pet doesn't lose its collar!
BUT these are all based on the hope that your pet doesn't lose its collar!
Need to know more?
Does my pet have a microchip?
If your pet was adopted as a puppy or kitten from the Associated Humane Society or the Monmouth County SPCA, it has a microchip. If it was adopted as an adult, it probably has a microchip. If you purchased or adopted your pet from somewhere else, look for microchip info on your original paperwork.
How can I get my pet microchipped?
Great! If your pet is currently a patient of Barnside (seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past year), call (732-919-7373) and speak with the receptionist about a Technician Appointment for microchipping.
If your pet is not currently a patient of Barnside, call (732-919-7373) and speak with a receptionist about an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
If your pet was adopted as a puppy or kitten from the Associated Humane Society or the Monmouth County SPCA, it has a microchip. If it was adopted as an adult, it probably has a microchip. If you purchased or adopted your pet from somewhere else, look for microchip info on your original paperwork.
How can I get my pet microchipped?
Great! If your pet is currently a patient of Barnside (seen by a Barnside veterinarian within the past year), call (732-919-7373) and speak with the receptionist about a Technician Appointment for microchipping.
If your pet is not currently a patient of Barnside, call (732-919-7373) and speak with a receptionist about an appointment with one of our veterinarians.
MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER YOUR PET'S MICROCHIP WITH YOUR CURRENT INFORMATION!!!!!
---Meredith L. Weltner-Sharin VMD
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