Microchipping Dogs: 3 Things You May Want To Know

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It is extremely common for dog owners to get their pets microchipped at a veterinarian's office. Dog owners do this for many reasons, and there are numerous benefits this offers. If you are considering this but do not fully understand how it works, here are three things you may want to know.

How It Is Done

When a veterinarian microchips a dog, he or she will insert a small chip into the animal. This chip is the size of a grain of rice, and it is typically inserted somewhere in the dog's neck. The process does not require anesthesia and is not very painful. To do this, a vet must insert a long needle into the dog's neck. This may feel like a big pinch, but it only takes a few seconds to complete. Most veterinarians offer this service, but you may also be able to have it completed at a humane society or dog kennel. Once this is done, the microchip should last for at least 25 years.

How Microchips Work

A microchip is a small device that can be scanned with a special type of scanner. There are currently several different types of microchips used for dogs, and each type may require the use of a different scanner. The chip contains a serial number on it. This number is unique and is designed to identify your dog. In order for this to work, you will need to take several steps. Here are some of the steps you must take to get the most out of your dog's microchip:

• Do not rely solely on the chip – If you decide to go through with this, it's still important to place a collar on your dog with a tag that contains your phone number. If your dog gets loose, the person that finds it will not immediately think of the chip. Instead, he or she will look at the dog's tags and will give you a call.
• Register the chip – After having your dog microchipped, you will need to register the dog with the company that provided the chip. Your veterinarian will give you information as to how to do this. Once you do this, your dog's information will be stored and accessed if needed.
• Update your information – In addition, you may need to update the registration of your dog's microchip if you move or if something else changes. Also, if you purchase or adopt a dog that has already been microchipped, you will need to update the registry to reflect the change in ownership.

If you have any questions as you do this, you can always contact your veterinarian's clinic, a place like Grove Center Veterinary Hospital, for help. Also, it is important to know that it usually costs around $50 to have this service completed.

Benefits Of Microchips

One of the main reasons people choose to have their dogs microchipped is to find these animals if they get loose and run away. If your dog is microchipped and ends up at an animal shelter, the shelter can use a scanner to determine if the dog is microchipped. If so, the scanner will locate the chip and will produce the unique number associated with your dog. The shelter can then locate the owner of this animal, and you will soon be reunited with your pet.

Many vets recommend having this done for the purpose of locating lost animals, but microchipping dogs is also helpful for preventing people from abandoning dogs. If a person knows his or her dog is microchipped, the person may think twice before letting the dog loose somewhere.

If you would like to learn more about microchips for dogs, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian today. 

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27 July 2016