Microchips

[mesmerred]

I have been told by a dog owner that microchips have to be replaced every couple of years. I had my cat microchipped about 6 years ago and the vet tested it ok last year. Have I just been lucky or was the dog owner wrong. The dog is a Sharpei and had been microchipped quite a few times. I wondered if for that breed the microchip moves within all the folds of skin or something.

[icemaiden]

I have had three pets micro-chipped, including a parrot and not one vet said it needs to be replaced.

I think you may have been ill advised.
change your vet!

[icemaiden]

Sorry not the Vet, the dog owner!

[kelebek]

A microchip is there for the animals lifetime as long as it is read ok by the chip scanner..

I do not think your pet should have been re-chipped? Ask your vet about this as I have never come across it before.
Microchips nowadays should have the new 15 digit ID number.

I hope this helps

[mesmerred]

Thanks for your answers. Sorry I probably wann't clear. My cat has only been chipped once and my vet is satisfied with that, therefore so am I. However the Sharpei belonging to someone else has been chipped several times! Thanks for your help.

[lankeela]

Microchips do not have to be replaced as long as they can be scanned and read. If a scanner is unable to read the chip, check the batteries, as some people do not realise they can run down.

If a dog is chipped more than once, the scanner will read the chip that it is nearest to, but will then read the other one if it is moved over it.

It has been known for chips to move so the scanner should be passed over the entire dog to check. Most chips these days should not move, as their design makes them more able to stay in place.

If you take in a dog or buy one and you don't know the full details get your vet to check it to see if it has been microchipped as it may have been lost or stolen and the chip could reveal a previous owner's details.

[mesmerred]

Thanks for you help everyone and thanks lankeela, for this and the help with the other question. As you can see I am trying to find out as much as I can about this subject. Cheers.