Describe a Microchip
A microchip is a tiny electronic chip that your veterinarian implants in your pet. It is about the size of a grain of rice and is protected by a glass case. When a scanner passes over the region, this chip, also known as a transponder, becomes active. The scanner’s radio waves are what actually cause the chip to activate. The scanner receives a unique identification number from the chip, which is subsequently shown on the screen of the device. If your pet gets lost and is found at a shelter or vet clinic, it is automatically scanned for a microchip, which allows you to be reunited with them as long as your contact information is up to date.
How Do You Place a Microchip?
A microchip can be inserted into almost any kind of animal at any age because it is so tiny. An enormous hypodermic needle is used to inject the tiny chip beneath the skin. Some pet owners choose to postpone having their pet spayed or neutered because they fear the large needle will cause pain. But it happens so fast that it’s over as soon as they realize they’ve been prodded. Make sure to register it with details like your address, phone number, and name as soon as it is placed. Early placement is always a good idea because pets who are lost and have a microchip have a better chance of being reunited with their owners.
What Are the Results of the Studies?
The American Veterinary Medical Association states that:
- The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) keeps track of unfavorable microchip reactions in a database. Only 391 adverse reactions have been reported out of over 4 million microchipped animals since the database’s inception in 1996. Tumor formation had far lower reported numbers of these reactions than did migration of the microchip from its original implantation site.
- There have been historical reports of implanted microchip-related cancer in mice and rats. But when the tumors were discovered, most of them were being used for cancer research, and the strains of mice and rats used in the studies were known to be carcinogenic.
- There have been reports of tumors connected to microchips in two dogs and two cats; however, in one dog and one cat, the tumor could not be traced back to the microchip itself, suggesting that it was caused by something else.
Do Microchips Present Any Risks?
Adverse reactions to microchips are currently only self-reported in the United States. However, based on data from the UK, The AVMA claims that the benefit of recovering a lost pet outweighs the extremely low risk to them. Microchips are therefore advised by the AVMA for secure, long-term identification.
Do the Advantages Balance the Drawbacks?
Yes, is the response. We will nonetheless outline a few possible dangers.
Advantages
- Microchip placement is a quick and simple procedure.
- It offers unbreakable identification that won’t come off, disappear, or become difficult to read.
- Millions of animals have had their microchips installed without a great deal of documented issues.
- They can be read anywhere in the world and are reasonably priced when combined with the appropriate scanner.
- They are made to last your pet’s entire life.
- Most importantly, thousands of animals have had their microchips registered and have been reunited with their owners.
Dangers
- Possibility of infection or harm
- An uncommon occurrence where a microchip moves away from its original location
- In addition, as previously mentioned, the extremely low incidence of documented tumor formation where the microchip was inserted
Additional Things to Think About
- Kindly register the microchip in your pet by providing a valid phone number and address. If your pet gets lost, this is the only way you can get back together with them.
- Ensure that a veterinarian implanted the microchip in your pet. “Check the Chip Day” is August 15th, so take advantage of this opportunity to visit your veterinarian and confirm that the microchip in your pet is still functioning properly. Also, now is a great time to update any pertinent data.
