Microchipping

A microchip is a small implant that goes just under the dog’s skin that contains a unique identifying number which is registered to a pet. The microchip itself is about the size and shape of a single grain of rice.

Why is it important to ensure my dog is microchipped?

Microchips provide a permanent identification for your dog. Tattoos (which used to be a very common way of permanently identifying pets) can fade or become distorted and difficult to read. Microchips, on the other hand, can be read during the life of the dog. All animal control facilities, animal shelters and veterinary clinics have microchip readers available to scan any pets that are found. It is important to keep your contact information updated with the microchip database, so you can be located or contacted easily if your lost pet has been found.

How does a microchip work and is it safe?

Microchips use RFID (radio frequency identification) to communicate with microchip scanners. The microchip is implanted in between the shoulder blades. As the scanner passes over the general area where the microchip has been implanted, the scanner reads the unique number that has been assigned to your pet. The microchip is encased in glass housing, so your dog will not come into direct contact with the chip.

Will the microchip hurt my dog and when should it be done?

The microchip is implanted under the dog’s skin with the use of a sharp needle. So, as with all injections, your dog will feel a pinch during the actual procedure. But most dogs recover almost immediately after the implantation has been done. There can be some tenderness or bruising at the injection site but that typically is only for a short period of time. We recommend microchipping your dog at the time of spay or neuter because the dog will be under a general anesthetic, but the microchip can be done at any time. Please call us to schedule an appointment or to discuss any further information about having your dog microchipped.