Microchipping your dog can increase the likelihood of them being found if they get lost. Our Ankeny vets discuss the benefits of having this quick procedure done for your pup.
What is a pet microchip?
Vets and animal shelters can use microchips - tiny radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips - to locate pet owners if their animal has been found. Microchips are typically placed under a dog's skin and are about the size of a grain of rice.
What can I expect from the microchipping procedure?
Your dog will be positioned for the microchip injection before your vet inserts a needle preloaded with the microchip into your pet's skin, and no surgery is required. The process involves little discomfort, and most dogs have a minimal, if any, reaction.
The microchip is usually placed in the subcutaneous tissue along the dog's spine, between the shoulder blades. Your dog should be lying on its stomach or standing up for the most accurate placement. Your veterinarian will gently pull up some of the loose skin before quickly inserting the needle and injecting the microchip. When the vet squeezes the applicator trigger, the microchip will be injected into the tissue.
Having a microchip implanted in your dog will not require surgery. The chip will be placed just under the skin using a needle, with minimal discomfort. In fact, most dogs hardly react to having a microchip implanted.
Once your dog has been microchipped, you'll register the chip's serial number and your dog's information with the company that produced it. If your dog is found, the microchip's serial number can match your dog's information to help trace you as the pet owner.
Why not just get a collar and tag for my dog?
Collars and tags are helpful tools for returning lost dogs to their owners. People can read the tag and call the phone number to contact the owner.
Your dog should always have collars and identification tags. The tag should include your name and contact number if it gets into trouble.
As good as it is to equip your dog with a collar and identification tag, tags can fall off and get lost, leaving your dog with no identifying information. Microchips are a permanent way to provide your dog with a means of identification.
It is important to keep your microchip registration information current. If you move or change your contact number, be sure to contact the microchip company to update your information.
Since microchips are not externally visible as a signal that your dog belongs to a family, microchips should not replace license tags and collars. Instead, having your dog microchipped and using a collar and tag will allow you the best chance of being reunited 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 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 in proving ownership.
Are there risks to microchipping my dog?
Some pet parents might have concerns about pain, allergic reactions, or internal migration of the microchip. This identification method has been used for many years and has been implanted into millions of pets without incident. Newer microchips have been improved, making the likelihood of rejection or allergic reaction extremely rare.
Thanks to microchips, dogs can be reunited with their loving families even years after years of separation. Ask your Ankeny vets about having your canine friend microchipped as soon as possible.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.