Microchipping

Pet dogs and cats started receiving microchips in 1989. Since then, thousands of lost pets have been reunited with their owners. Collars with ID tags can easily slip off, but a microchip stays with a pet for life. Even pets missing for years have successfully come home, thanks to a microchip no bigger than a grain of rice. Our veterinarians at Eaton Animal Den would like to stress the benefits of pet microchipping.

microchipping

The Effectiveness of Pet Microchipping

According to a 2009 study done by Ohio State University, lost cats with microchips were twenty times more likely to be reunited with their owners. Dogs with microchips were 2.5 times higher. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) notes that dogs that somehow wandered 600 or even 1,000 miles from home were successfully reunited with their families because they had microchips.

A Simple Procedure

It starts by filling out a form with your contact information to have your information registered in a national database. Microchipping your pet only takes a few minutes. Your pet does not need anesthesia for this procedure. The microchip is injected under the skin between the shoulder blades.

How Microchips Work

Microchips are electronic identification devices. The chip emits a radio frequency. It does not work like a GPS. You need a scanner to access the information on the chip. When a scanner reads it, the chip emits a unique identification number. That number is stored in the database and is linked with your contact information.

Side Effects

Most pets do not experience any side effects from getting microchipped. The injection might cause some bleeding, which quickly stops. The injection site might get sore or swollen. In extremely rare cases, a pet may lose hair or form an abscess at the injection site. Sometimes the chip may move. According to the AVMA, moving microchips occur less than one percent of the time.

Be Proactive

Microchips are not perfect. There are some things you can do to make sure the microchips will work when you need them most. Every year during your pet’s checkup, have our veterinarian scan the chip to ensure it still emits the identification number. If you have moved or changed your phone number, then your contact information needs to be updated. Updating your contact information is free and easy to do online.

Get Your Pet Microchipped in Eaton, CO

If you still have questions about pet microchipping or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians, contact our team at Eaton Animal Den. We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about microchipping or any of our veterinary services. Call our team today at (970) 454-1700 or reach us through our website by using our online contact form.

Office Hours

Monday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Tuesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wednesday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Thursday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Friday

8:00 am - 6:00 pm

Saturday

9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Sunday

Closed

Monday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday
Closed

Location