How scary when your pet is lost. Animal lovers understand what is at stake. Almost every person in whose house the dog lives, thinks about how to “tag” his four-legged friend so that (in case of loss) the people who find him know who to return the animal to. The most common identification option is a collar with the address written on it and the owner's phone number. There are cases when the dog’s body is tattooed or stigmatized, but this method is far from humane in relation to the animal. The most reliable and secure way of identification today is considered to be an electronic tagging system. What is dog chipping? What is the essence of this procedure and how is it performed? This will be discussed in more detail in the article.
Electronic tagging of animals - what is it?
Chipping dogs is an implantation procedure under the skin of a microchip. Each such device has its own identification number, which for life is assigned to the animal in whose body it stands. The procedure of chipping is simple to perform, it is quick and painless. Apply this method of electronic tagging for other pets: cats, horses, rodents, birds, fish.
How are dogs chipped?
The microchip implantation procedure is performed by a veterinarian. It begins with a general inspection of the animal. If the health status of the four-legged complies with the norm, the specialist begins directly the installation of the device. The microchip is removed from the sterile packaging and its condition is checked. Next, the place on the skin where the microchip will be introduced is treated with a disinfectant. If the dog has a long thick coat, then it moves apart in different directions, and the skin is smeared with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. Next, an injection is performed - a puncture of the skin and the launch of an electronic tagging device under it. Dogs are chipped in the area of the left shoulder blade or withers. Chips are placed in hairless animals in the area of the inner surface of one of the paws. The place of implantation of the device does not in any way affect the operation of the scanner for reading information.
How does a microchip work?
The electronic animal tagging device is a transponder that does not require recharging. It is placed in a capsule made of glass that is biocompatible with living tissues. The microchip is a carrier of a unique code. Due to the biocompatible sterile membrane, the device does not cause inflammatory or allergic reactions in the body of a dog or any other representative of the fauna. In addition, this capsule protects the chip from migrating under the skin of the animal. Dogs are chipped with a device whose size is only 2 x 12 mm.
Each chip number is a unique number of fifteen digits. Combinations of codes number 700 trillion. The number determined for the microchip is entered into the memory of its crystal during manufacture. Read codes from electronic tagging devices using a scanner. They spend it on the surface of the body of the animal, and immediately a number appears on the screen. This code is transferred to the computer where the entire database is located. According to the information obtained from it, everything about this animal is found out: the age of the dog, who is the owner, address of residence.
Is the electronic tagging method safe for the health and life of a pet?
Chipping dogs and other animals is completely harmless. This is evidenced by both theory and practice. The procedure itself is painless, the installation of the device resembles an injection, which is performed in seconds. As mentioned earlier, the capsule is covered with a sterile shell that survives well in the tissues of the animal. The size of the microchip is small, so it does not feel like an animal, does not prevent it from walking, lying, tumbling. This implant does not cause any discomfort to the pet.
Where can I perform the installation procedure for an electronic animal identification system?
Dogs are chipped in veterinary institutions. This procedure is allowed for puppies who are already 1 month old. Also, the installation of such devices can be done in dog training centers, if any, in your locality. Another place where chip implants are performed is animal shows. There are organized veterinary corners, where, in fact, they carry out the procedure. Chipping dogs at home is also possible. Veterinary clinics provide such a service today . Upon preliminary call, the specialist leaves the client at home and installs the implant.
When is chipping a dog mandatory?
You will need to carry out the implantation of an identification device to your pet without fail if you are going to cross the borders of the countries of the European Union with him. A microchip is an electronic passport of an animal. If you want to participate in international dog shows, then one of the conditions for admission to them is also the presence of a microchip for a four-legged friend.