May is officially Chip Your Pet Month! If your animal companion has already been chipped, give yourself a pat on the back. This is a very important step, and is one of the best things you can do to protect your four-legged friend. As many as one in three pets are lost or stolen during their lives! That tiny chip can make a huge difference if this ever happens to your furry friend. Read on as a Lexington, KY vet discusses microchips.
Microchips
Microchips use something called RF (radio frequency) signal. They don’t actually transmit information: the chips just contain unique ID numbers, which can be read with special scanners. These scanners are used by many veterinarians and animals shelters to check lost pets. Once a pet is chipped, that ID number will allow the chip manufacturer to match the pet with the owner’s records. This wonderful technology has been the cause for some very joyful reunions between people and their furry pals!
Microchips Vs. ID Tags
Even if your pet is chipped, they’ll still need to wear ID tags. Why both? Unlike ID tags, microchips cannot be altered or tampered with. They also will stand up in a court of law, if you ever need to prove that your pet was stolen.
The Process
Getting your pet microchipped is actually a very quick and easy process. Your vet will use a hypodermic needle to inject the chip beneath your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. This is often done alongside spay/neuter surgery, but can also be done by itself. Complications are extremely rare. However, this is just the first part of the process. You’ll need to make sure that your information is correct and up to date in the chipmaker’s database.
Checking The Chip
Microchips don’t need maintenance, and you don’t have to worry about getting your furry buddy a system upgrade. However, it is a good idea to have your vet check the chip during your pet’s regular appointments. This is just to ensure that it’s still working and hasn’t slipped. You’ll also need to update your records whenever you move or change contact information. If your pet has already been chipped, you can try checking their records on the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup Tool, which is located here.
Please contact us, your Lexington, KY vet clinic, anytime. We are always happy to help!
