It’s Check The Chip Day! Has your pet been microchipped yet? If not, you may want to see to this. Microchips are tiny devices that form an invisible, yet permanent, link between people and their pets. If your furry best friend ever goes missing, that tiny chip could be the only thing connecting the two of you! Here, a Seminole, FL vet offers some information about microchips, and how to check them.
Microchips are only about the size of a grain of rice, but they can become an absolutely crucial safety net. They do not transmit information, and, unfortunately, they won’t reprogram your cat to stop scratching your sofa. Each chip contains an identification number, which is linked to your account in the chipmaker’s database. Veterinarians and animal shelter staff check pets for microchips, using special scanners that can read those ID numbers. If a chip is found, the registry will connect it to the owner’s contact information. This simple but brilliant technology has facilitated thousands of reunions between wayward pets and their worried humans.
Getting a microchip is a simple process. The chip is injected beneath your pet’s skin, via a hypodermic needle. This is often done alongside spay/neuter surgery, but it can also be scheduled on its own. The risk of side effects or complications is miniscule. As far as recovery time, an extra nap and a treat should do it. Ask your vet for more information.
Chips don’t require any maintenance, and they don’t need software upgrades. So what does checking the chip entail? Having your vet scan the chip at least once a year is a good idea. This is just to make sure that it’s still in place and working properly. Though this is rare, chips sometimes do move or malfunction. It’s also important to make sure that your records are up to date in the chipmaker’s database. You can try using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup tool here to check your records. Remember to update this information whenever you move or change your contact information. The chip won’t do any good if your records are incomplete or outdated! Of course, your pet will still need to wear ID tags as well.
Do you need to make an appointment for getting your pet microchipped? Contact us, your Seminole, FL animal clinic, today!
