Did you know that May is National Chip Your Pet Month? If your pet hasn’t been microchipped yet, we recommend getting this done as soon as possible. This quick, simple procedure could one day save your furry friend’s life! A Carolina Forest, SC vet discusses microchips in this article.
What Microchips Are
Microchips form permanent bonds between people and their animal companions. The chips don’t transmit any information, and they don’t have any effect on your pet’s ‘operating system.’ Instead, each chip contains only a unique ID number. This number correlates to your records in the chip manufacturer’s database. Chips can be read with scanners used by veterinarians and animal shelter staff.
Why Chipping Is Important
As you may know, shelters are overflowing with homeless pets. The numbers on lost pets are both staggering and heartbreaking. Nearly one in three pets will get lost at some point in their lives. If your beloved animal friend should end up in a shelter, that tiny microchip can make a huge difference in the outcome. Pets that have been microchipped are much more likely to be reunited with their owners than those without chips. Microchips can also prove invaluable in cases where pets have been stolen.
The Procedure
For our furry patients, getting a microchip is very much like getting a shot. A hypodermic needle will be used to inject the chip beneath your pet’s skin. This process is very quick and simple. Your four-legged friend will not need any recovery time, aside from a few snuggles and perhaps a special treat.
Records
Getting your pet chipped is only the first part of the process. You’ll need to fill out some forms, so that your records are correct in the manufacturer’s database. This is very important, as the chip won’t work if your contact information is missing or outdated. Be sure to update your information every time you move or change contact information. (Tip: if your pet is chipped, try using the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip lookup tool to check your records.)
Maintenance
We recommend having your vet check the chip during your pet’s regular appointments, to make sure that it hasn’t moved or malfunctioned. This will only take a few moments, but it’s definitely worth it! To learn more about microchips, please contact us, your Carolina Forest, SC pet hospital, today. We are always here to help!
