Microchipping Your Pet

Does your pet have a microchip? If not, we strongly recommend that you get this done right away. A microchip is tiny, but it could one day save your furry buddy’s life. In fact, getting a microchip is one of the best things you can do for your beloved pet’s safety and well-being! Read on as a Marriottsville, MD vet discusses microchips.

Why Microchip?

The numbers on lost pets are both staggering and heartbreaking. About one in three pets will be lost at some point in their lives. Pets are much more likely to be reunited with their owners if they are wearing a chip. While we truly hope that all of our furry clients stay safe and sound at home, we do advise erring on the side of caution, and getting your pet chipped, just in case. If your pet does get lost or stolen, that microchip may become crucial.

How Microchips Work

Microchips don’t actually contain any of your pet’s records. Each chip is assigned a unique ID number, which can be read with a special scanner. Generally, animal shelters—and sometimes animal clinics—use these scanners to check lost pets for chips. The ID number correlates to your pet’s records in the chipmaker’s database, forming a permanent link between you and your pet.

Getting Your Pet Chipped

The process of getting your furry buddy microchipped will only take a few minutes. Typically, your vet will use a hypodermic needle to inject the chip beneath your pet’s skin, generally between the shoulder blades. This can be worked into any veterinary appointment, or scheduled on its own. Complications are very rare. As for recovery time, well, a few ear scritches or perhaps a special treat should do the trick.

Record Maintenance

Getting your pet microchipped is only the first part of the process. You’ll need to fill out your information in the chipmaker’s database. Remember to update your records whenever you move or change your phone number and/or email address. The chip won’t work if your data is incomplete, outdated, or missing. (Tip: if you have your pet’s chip number, try checking the AAHA Pet Microchip Lookup, which is located here.) Do you have questions or concerns about your pet’s health or care? Do you need to schedule an appointment for microchipping? We are here to help! Contact us, your local Marriottsville, MD animal clinic, today!