Everything You Need to Know About Microchipping Your Dog in Ruston, LA
If you own a pet, you probably worry about what happens if they go missing. With the advent of microchipping, your pet can be protected from going missing and never being found again. Microchips make a big difference when it comes to getting pets returned to their owners promptly, even if they have gotten lost far from home.
Things to Know About Microchips for Dogs
If you have never microchipped a pet, you might have some questions about the process. This is not something that was common until about ten years ago, so some people with pets have never microchipped an animal. Don’t worry! The process is easy and comes along with so many benefits that you will probably want to use this form of protection for all of your pets going forward. Read on to learn more about the main things to know about microchips.
They are Very Small
Microchips are the size of a grain of rice in most cases. They can easily be implanted under your pet’s skin, and they are not at all likely to cause secondary problems later on because of how simple this procedure is. It’s really amazing that something so small can identify your pet and keep them safe if they go missing, and it can be a big relief to pet owners to know that the process of inserting this item into your pet’s skin can be so easy.
Many vets just add microchipping services onto the services that they offer for vaccines or something like dental cleanings. Your pet will not need to be sedated to have this process done either, so you could simply pop by and take care of it on your way home from work or on a weekend if your vet has appointments on these days.
Chips Can be Read by Universal Scanners
One of the perks of new microchipping processes is that one single kind of scanner can read all of them. The brand of the microchip is not relevant as they are made to be used with universal scanners these days. Your pet could get lost in an entirely different state, and the vet clinic that scans their chip will be able to find out who they are and who is missing them with ease. This can offer a lot of peace of mind for those who travel with their pets and are worried about them getting lost while being far away from home.
Older Chips Might Need to be Replaced
If your pet has been microchipped before, but the chip is really old, you might need to have it replaced with a more modern chip. This will not apply for very much longer since most of the chips that have been implanted in the last ten years are made to use with universal scanners. However, if your pet is elderly and you are worried about them getting lost, you might want to have your vet check to see if they can read the chip that you paid for some time ago. If not, then the chip should be replaced with one that can be read with a universal scanner device.
They Are Well-Tolerated
Since microchips are so small and so easy to insert into the skin, most pets don’t even notice that the chip has been placed. The process of inserting a chip into the skin involves a needle that is wide enough around to drop the chip into the skin, and it only takes a few seconds to complete the service. This means that there is limited irritation to the skin, and you will not need to worry about bruises or stitches, or any of the other side effects of other services. Microchips are usually so well-tolerated that your pet should not need any pain medication or follow-up care related to completing the process of inserting the chip.
You Will Need to Fill Out Some Paperwork
The accompanying paperwork for the chip is really simple. You can usually head online to the site associated with the maker of your dog’s chip and simply fill in your personal information and details. This will often finalize the activation of the chip and make it possible for people to use the chip to find you if you and your dog get separated. Microchips do not offer GPS or any kind of locating service, so the information that you put in the application form needs to be complete and useful.
If you have moved, you will need to update this information so that your pet can be sent home to you if they are lost. This is one of the things that people tend to forget to do when they move, so be sure that you are keeping your pet’s microchip information up to date.
Contact Your Vet in Ruston, LA if You Want to Microchip Your Dog
Even if your pet does not travel with you and they are an indoor-only kind of dog, having a microchip can make it possible to find your pet if the unthinkable happens. Many people don’t believe that their dog will ever run away or get lost, but this is always a possibility. You would be heartbroken if you could not find your pet after they have gone missing, and the microchip that your pet has inserted in their skin can make this much less likely.
For animals who have been dropped off at a vet to have their microchip checked, the microchip can be the difference between ending up at a shelter and going back home. Most people cannot hang onto a dog that they have found along the side of the road, and dropping them off at a vet is only temporary. If your pet ends up in a shelter situation, you cannot control what happens to them, and it makes it much harder to find them again. Consider microchipping all of your dogs so that you never have to be separated from them for long if they should run off. For more information on microchipping your dog or if you would like to schedule an appointment, contact Lagniappe Animal Health in Ruston, LA by calling (318) 255-3303.
