Microchips are implanted under your pet’s skin to increase the chances of finding them when they go astray.
Pet owners look for safety precautions that are reliable and effective to protect their furred friends in the event that they wander off or get stolen. The use of pet microchips is one of the best ways of ensuring your furry companion gets home safely when the unfortunate happens. Apart from the use of ID tags, many pet owners increasingly prefer to microchip their pets.
Since the use of microchips is relatively new, many pet parents are curious about the microchipping process and what it entails. Some even wonder if the process is painful or if it is expensive.
How are Microchips Implanted?
The process of implanting a microchip is simple, quick, and inexpensive. Concurrently, it is essentially painless and practically comfortable for pets and their owners. Microchips are implanted using a hypodermic needle, which is slightly bigger than the standard injection used during regular vet visits. However, the size of the injection is unique to every microchip company.
Microchips are implanted by veterinary or any other animal-care professional qualified to undertake the procedure. It is essential to allow a trained individual to take care of the implantation process to avoid implanting the microchip in the wrong location.
Site of Implantation
Microchips are implanted at different sites. Therefore, the location of implantation depends on the animal.
Dogs and cats are typically microchipped around the neck area (between the shoulder blades).
For horses, microchips are implanted around the neck area, on the left side, roughly an inch below the mane and at the center of the withers and the poll.
Birds are typically microchipped in their breast muscle.
Before implanting the new chip, the animal professional needs to scan your pet for existing microchips using a microchip scanner. The scanning process takes about 10 to 30 seconds.
The use of an anesthetic is not necessary. The implant procedure is quite similar to a vaccination injection given during a routine pet visit. Therefore, it is essentially painless.
During implantation, the animal-care professional will desensitize your pet’s skin by pinching it gently. The skin will pull upwards until it is taut. Then, the expert will insert the needle.
The animal professional will pinch the skin again at the implantation site to ensure the microchip does not move as they withdraw the needle.
After the microchip is implanted, you need to provide your contact information to the associated microchip company. You can complete your registration by going to their site or by calling them by phone. The animal shelter staff or your veterinary can assist you in completing the microchip registration forms immediately after the implantation process.
After the process, you and your furry friend can go home and enjoy a relaxing moment together. It is paramount to avoid engaging your pet in rigorous activities and exercises for about 24 hours to allow the anti-migration coating on the chip to blend with your pet’s skin. The coating ensures that the chip does not migrate to other body parts once implanted.
Final Thoughts
Microchips last throughout the pet’s life. Therefore, you do not have to microchip your furred companion again. With the use of microchips, you are 20 times more likely to reunite with your dog when the unfortunate happens.
You can use a combination of ID tags and microchips to increase the chances of getting your canine or feline friend home as soon as possible when the unfortunate happens.
