Pet Microchip ID

[Litchick]

Have other ABers thought about or currently have their pets implanted with the microchip ID? I'm thinking about it for my cat but want to make sure it's perfectly safe and would like to hear any experiences others may have. Many thanks.

[les saisies]

Our vet recommends that all cats and dogs are microchiped.

We had ours done when they were spayed/neutered as it is preferable if it is done under general anaesthetic as it causes less stress to the animal. The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and is hardly noticable under the skin.

Go ahead; we certainly have not had any problems.

[Litchick]

Thank you so much! I think it's a very good idea; however I wish I had asked sooner because she was just spayed the beginning of October and had I known it would also require the anesthesia, I would have done it at the same time. Now, at this moment, while I want to do it, I hesistate to put her under the anesthetic again. Thank you for the reply :)

[lankeela]

I am a microchip implanter. My own dogs are done, and none were given any form of anaesthetic. It is no more stressful than a vaccination jab. If done properly, most animals don't even notice its being done. It only takes a second and the implanter tool is very sharp, almost like a scalpel and slides in and out without effort.

The only time there is any stress is if the owner is panicking, and passes this on to the animal. Cats can sometimes be a bit slippery to hold, but usually they are done before they realise.

The paperwork takes longer than the implanting!

[Litchick]

Thank you Lankeela -- I have just been reading some info on the internet and it has been saying that it is no more stressful than an injection. Thank you for giving it to me from the horses - er - implanter's mouth!! :)

[kaktus]

All Danish dogs and cats have to have a microchip ID and I've never heard anything bad happening with them. All my parents pets has a micochip, horse included :)

I would definitely have it done.

[foxy.fagin]

My dog is tattooed but I spoke to the vet and we agreed that when Beethoven returns in December for his yearly jab he will micochip him and do the necessary for a blood test. No anaesthetic necessary.

[mycatis]

Oh my God, that is soooo weird, the site I was looking at not 2 minutes ago, before here, was about getting my cats microchipped, how strange. I'm thinking of getting it done very soon

[orange-gnome]

Hi it is definitely a good idea to get your pets chipped, the worst thing I have experienced with them is that they can move. The chips have little holes in them for tissue to grow through so that they stay in place however before this happens the chip can move from the back of the neck where it is implanted. It doesnt cause any problems, my jack russells chip moved to under his armpit and its not a problem at all and most people who would be scanning are taught to do a wide sweep of the animal with the scanner just in case it has moved.

[Litchick]

Thank you for all your replies! I would very much like to have it done and your answers helped confirm that! Thanks all! :)

[lankeela]

Just one word of advice - vets charge a fortune to microchip - let me know where you are in the country and I will try to put you in touch with a microchipper from my doggy friends. Youshould not have to pay more than �12 - �15 but vets charge about �25 plus.

[lankeela]

I used to have my dogs/puppies tattooed. No preference really, but microchipping seems to be the general choice. Tattooing is easier to see, (though not always to read) and it is not much different in 'stress' levels. The only thing puppies don't seem to like is being held tight while the 'clamp' is put on the ear. Once on its only on for a couple of seconds, and some don't bother at all. Many GSD breeders tattoo, and all greyhounds have to be done. I have a very small breed and the tattooers I used had a set of small letters and numbers, but I think they would still be rather big for a cat.

[lankeela]

As for microchips moving, this tends to be more when they have been done in the scruff of the neck, rather than in the gap over the shoulder blades, which is where we were taught to implant it. You 'pinch' up a section of fur, making a sort of 'tent' and slide the implanter in. Vets tend to go for the scruff of the neck (suppose its where they are used to vaccinating).

[foxy.fagin]

I live in France and the vet says the price is the same as getting the animal tattooed. He shall also have a blood test at the same time and this he says can be expensive as there are only a few qualified (recognised) labs in the country.

[Kimmiebear]

We have had some trouble in Canada getting a chip scanner that reads many different brands of chips. Make sure yours is a common one so that the majority of scanners can read it

[lankeela]

Foxy.fagin - why does your dog need a blood test? It seems vets in the UK opt for a blood test for any condition they are not sure about. Or is it for a pet passpost to check if a rabies jab has taken?

[Elfin]

My cat was microchipped a few years ago with no problems. Check with your local council - where I live, the council provides the service in your own home via the Dog Warden and it only costs a tenner.

[annavc]

You should definitely get your cat microchipped. Once done, the number of the chip and your details can be loaded on to a national database. If your cat ever goes missing and is taken to any vet or rescue centre, one of the first things they will do is scan for a chip. They can then put the number into the database and immediately get your contact details so your cat would be returned to you.

[foxy.fagin]

lankeela, as it takes so long for the blood test results to come through (min. 6 months) thought he may as well have it done in December just in case we decide to take him to the UK next summer. He, like the cat, has a rabies jab every year - the blood test is not to see if it has taken but to satisfy demands requested by the British govt. This will confirm he has had his jab and qualify him for a passport; at least the blood test is only required once or else it could become very expensive!

[mesmerred]

I have to agree that it is a good idea to microchip your pets. I hated the thought at first but my cat, only a year old at the time, didn't even notice it happening. That was 6 years ago. I had a previous cat go missing for a month and realised at the time that there was no way anyone who found him would know who he belonged to. There were too many places to ask and look.. With the microchip my current cat can tell people where she lives! I wouldn't hesitate.