Has your pet been microchipped yet? If not, we strongly recommend getting this done as soon as possible. Every year, microchips facilitate thousands of reunions between lost pets and their worried humans. A Hendersonville, NC vet discusses the microchip in this article.
B asics
Microchips are radio frequency identification transponders. They do not transmit information, nor do they contain any data or programs. Instead, each chip is marked with a unique ID number, which can be read by special scanners used by veterinarians and animal shelters. That number correlates with your records in the chipmaker’s database, forming an invisible, yet unbreakable, connection between you and your pet.
Numbers
The statistics on lost pets are quite sobering. As many as one in three dogs will go missing at some point in their lives. Or, to look at the numbers another way, up to ten million dogs and cats are lost or stolen every year. Sadly, almost 80 percent of them are never found. A microchip greatly increases the odds of your furry companion coming home if they were to get lost.
The Procedure
It’s common practice for microchipping to be done at the same time as spay/neuter surgery. This is just logical, as pets are already under anesthesia. However it can also be done on its own. The process will only take a few minutes. Your vet will use a hypodermic needle to insert the chip beneath your pet’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades. This only takes a minute. For Fido and Fluffy, it’s very much like getting a shot.
Records
Getting your pet microchipped is just the first part of the process. You’ll need to fill out your information in the chipmaker’s database. Remember to update these records whenever you move or change your contact information. This is absolutely crucial! Even if your pet is chipped, it won’t do any good if there is no contact information on file for you.
GPS
Technology is progressing in leaps and bounds, so it will be interesting to see what happens with microchips in the future. Currently they do not contain GPS trackers, though you can get collars that do. You can also find things like pet doors and even bowls that can be unlocked via microchips.
Do you need to schedule microchipping for your pet? Contact us, your Hendersonville, NC animal hospital, anytime. We are here to help!
