Pet microchips are small devices that can easily be inserted between the shoulder blades of a pet. They are similar to the size of grains of rice. The process of inserting a microchip in between your pet’s shoulder blades is very safe and not harmful; it is more like a regular vaccination your veterinarian gives your pet. A pet microchip is a Radio Frequency Infrared Device (RFID) that can also be referred to as a transponder. It is not a GPS tracker. The sole purpose of pet microchips inserted in pets is to provide a means of permanent identification. This way, it will be difficult for you to lose your pet.
Has your pet already been microchipped? Or do you plan on getting it microchipped? Do you want to know if a magnet can erase a pet microchip? No, it doesn’t. This is because these pet microchips are not magnetically encoded. So, a thief cannot use a magnet to erase the content in your pet microchip.
Once a microchip gets inserted into your pet, it gets registered with a microchip company.
Can you wipe a pet microchip?
It is challenging for you to wipe your pet’s microchip. It’s not possible. You can only get it removed, but most veterinarians would not want to do that because of the risks involved. A pet microchip can be removed through a surgical process, and removing it needs anesthesia. It is straightforward to insert a pet microchip, but it is tough to remove it.
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Your dog’s microchips are inserted permanently. And the essence is to prevent it from being stolen or getting lost.
It is very dangerous removing your dog’s microchip because anesthesia can lead to heart complications, blood pressure issues, breathing issues, or even death. There has been an upgrade in dogs’ anesthesia recently, though. The risks involved in removing your dog’s microchip are very risky surgically. It is something you should carefully think about before you attempt to do it.
The initial position where your dog’s microchip was inserted can migrate over time. It can move from in between its shoulder blades to its leg. This is because the tissues that don’t stop growing and removing it would need a large incision and serious tissue dissection to locate and remove the microchip. All of these may cause permanent damage to your dog.
Can a pet microchip stop working?
Yes, it can. There are different microchip companies, and they keep records of the database of pet owners that registered with them. Sometimes, the first few numbers show the name of the microchip company that produced the microchip. But it doesn’t always work. At first, the scanner tries to scan and decide the first three numbers to indicate which company’s database to check. Still, as more microchip companies joined the microchipping business, the process of searching for the correct database became disorganized and filled with a lot of errors.
After a while, The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), a non-profit organization, designed a website that kept a record of all the microchipping companies’ databases. This led to a more organized system for the databases of pet owners. Their website tells you the name and number of the microchip company that produced the microchip inserted into your let.
If the microchip in your pet becomes unscannable, it could eventually stop working. It could be that the original position where the microchip was implanted got altered because of the growth of tissues in your dog.
To protect your dog from being lost, it would be great you consider applying all the tips listed below.
- Ensure you regularly check your pet’s microchip to make sure it is has not stopped working. Allow your veterinarian to scan your pet at least once a year to make sure it has not stopped working.
- Get a pet ID tag for your pet. Always make sure it always wears it. Check if the information contained in it is still correct and legible.
- Ensure you know the microchip number of your pet and use the website of AAHA to ensure they have updated information about you and your pet.
Can you reprogram a dog chip?
When you get your dog microchipped, it is programmed with a certain number, and then the microchip company keeps the details of the owners of the pets with that unique number.
Now, when you adopt a pet that has been previously microchipped, or you move to a new area, and your address changes or the owner of the pet changes, all you will need to do is request that the microchip company change the owner’s details peculiar to that particular number. The microchip company usually charges per owner a small fee for that change of information.
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Before the microchip company alters this information, they contact the previous owners of the pet to confirm they are aware of the new owner. They do this to protect against pet theft.
Veterinarians will always get information from the previous owners before they implant a second microchip or reprogram a microchip.
How long does a microchip last in a dog?
The microchip is meant to last for over 20 years. It is usually done for it to last throughout the lifespan of your dog. This microchip doesn’t have a battery or power supply. Once the microchip gets inserted into your dog, the microchip is positioned in place as a thin layer of connective tissue forms around it. So, the microchip doesn’t require you to manage it because it doesn’t go out of the body.
Conclusion
Implanting a microchip into your pet is going to prevent it from getting lost or stolen. It has a lot of benefits attached to it. You should do something for that lovely pet of yours, especially if you’re scared of it being stolen.
Always contact your veterinarian to give you more information about your pet and the microchip inserted in its body.
Instead of trying to remove a microchip from your pet, it will be better you reprogram it to suit your updated information. Removing a microchip from your dog has many surgical risks that your dog may not be able to survive.
Once in a while, see a veterinarian scan your dog to ensure the microchip that was implanted into its body is still working. If you also notice that your dog’s health is deteriorating because of the microchip that was implanted in it, consult a veterinarian, too, to help out.