Can you introduce yourself and your companion, Alexander?
Hi, my name is Dr. Noelle Lucas and I am here with my companion, Alexander. He is a puppy in puppy raising for Canine Companions for Independence. It's a great organization that trains puppies to become service dogs for those in need. He's being raised to hopefully serve others who are disabled and in need. Alexander is currently in training and he's also going to be my assistant for our discussion on microchipping today.
Dr. Noel Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
What does it mean to have your dog microchipped?
Microchips are a tiny sensor that are implanted underneath the skin of a dog. They can help identify a lost or injured dog if they're taken somewhere else out of your care and have no identification on them. Veterinarians, shelters, and rescue organizations can identify who they are and where they belong.
Can microchips be used to track my dog?
No, microchips are not used for tracking, they're used for identification.
How is the microchip used to identify a dog?
We use a microchip scanner to identify the chip that's implanted in the pet. The scanner provides a unique number that we can cross-check on an online database to identify the dog's owner.
What does the process of recovering the microchip look like?
The chip is about the size of a grain of rice and it gets implanted right under the skin, usually over the shoulder area. That's where we scan a pet to identify them.
Why do veterinarians recommend getting my dog a microchip?
If your dog is lost and they have no identification on them, we can't determine who they are or where they belong. A microchip allows us to identify your dog so that we can find you.
What if I forget or lose my dog's microchip information?
If you lose your dog's microchip information, you can call the place where your dog was microchipped. They can look up the chip number in their system or you can take your dog to the nearest veterinary office or shelter to get them scanned and obtain the number.
Are there other smart products that can connect to my dog's microchip?
At this time, I don't know of any other smart products that are built into our microchips. However, I've heard of a scanner that can also tell the temperature of your animal.
If I want to get my pet microchipped, where should I go?
I highly recommend going to your local veterinarian. They would be more than happy to give your dog a microchip.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Microchipping - FAQs 1
Dr. Noel Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
How can microchipping help my dog be returned to me?
Microchipping is a way for veterinarians, rescue organizations, and individuals to identify your dog and know who they are and where they live if they should ever be separated from you.
Will a microchip tell me my dog's location?
A microchip will not provide your dog's location. Only the person who finds your dog and reaches out to you from an organization or pet hospital can tell you where the dog is located if they're lost.
Do all shelters scan for microchips?
Yes, all shelters scan for microchips. If you found an animal and brought it to a shelter, the first thing they would do is check for a microchip. This includes our own hospital.
Does the microchip ensure my dog will be found?
No, a microchip does not guarantee that your dog will be found. If your dog gets lost and is injured, attacked, or passes away, and nobody finds them, we unfortunately cannot return them to you. However, if a friendly dog is found roaming around without identification, most people will take them to a shelter or vet's office. The first thing they'll do is check for a microchip, which can then help locate you, the owner.
My dog already has a collar and tags, why do they need a chip?
Collars and tags can sometimes get removed, especially if a dog is running around and gets caught on a fence or shrubs. Quick-release collars are designed not to strangle the animal, but this also means the dog's identification could end up not being on them anymore. Once that identification is lost, there's no way for anyone to know who the dog is or where they belong. Microchipping your dog provides a permanent form of identification. If you're interested in getting your dog microchipped, we at Blue Oasis would be more than happy to help.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Microchipping - FAQs 2
Dr. Noel Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
Dr. Lucas, how do I know who gets the information for my dog's microchip? Can anyone with a scanner access my contact information for my dog's microchip?
The pet hospital or the shelter that implants the chip, you, and the database for the microchip are the only sources of your information. But, yes, if your dog has a microchip and someone scans it, the microchip identification will come up. You can then enter this number on the internet and it will bring up your dog's name, your address, and your phone number.
What information is provided with a dog microchip?
The only information that's in a microchip is the chip number. This chip number corresponds to a database entry, which contains your name, your dog's name, your address, and your phone number.
And what does the AAHA universal pet microchip look like?
The AAHA universal pet microchip is a website that you can access to look up a pet's microchip number and find out the necessary information to recover your dog.
And is my personal information available with a dog microchip?
The only information available is your dog's name, your name, your address, and phone number.
If you have more questions about your dog's microchip, please reach out to Blue Oasis Pet Hospital.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Dog Microchipping - FAQs 3
Dr. Noel Lucas
Blue Oasis Pet Hospital
We use a little larger needle than a regular vaccine needle. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and sits in the needle. We implant it in the shoulder of a dog and then scan it to ensure it is implanted correctly.
Is dog microchipping painful?
It can be uncomfortable, so we make the process quick for the pet. During a spay or neuter, and other times with sedation, we can also use a small injection of lidocaine in the skin.
Are there any risks or side effects to dog microchipping?
Really, no risks. Sometimes we'll get some temporary bleeding where we implant the microchip just because we're putting a needle through the skin. But besides a little bit of blood that will clot up really quickly, there are really no contraindications or complications from implanting a microchip.
Is there a recovery period needed after the dog microchipping?
No, no recovery period is needed. We advise not to put any pressure over where we implanted the microchip, as it can be a little tender for about the first day or so.
Will my dog's chip ever stop working or will the battery go out?
So far, I've never seen a chip in my career stop working. Could it happen? I suppose so, but I wouldn't be worried about that. The chips that are usually implanted are good for the lifetime of the pet.
If you have any more questions about pets, dogs specifically, and microchipping, I invite you to reach out to your veterinarian. We'd love to answer any questions you have here at Blue Oasis Pet Hospital. Thank you.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (615) 975-2583 , or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram