Thousands of pets are stolen or lost each year and never return home because they can’t be identified. One of the best ways to increase the chance to reunite a pet with its owner and proper home is through the use of microchip technology.

What is a Microchip?
A microchip is:

• A piece of technology about the size of a large grain of rice.
• Programmed to transmit information.
• Cylindrical in shape.
• Consists of a capacitor, antenna, wire, and covering.

How Does the Microchip Work?
The microchip:

• When implanted, uses a low-power Radio Frequency Identification technology.
• When scanned, will emit a signal to transmit information consisting of a preprogrammed identification number.
• A transmitted number is dedicated to each microchip and animal, and is linked to an online registration site where the owner contact information can be retrieved.

How is the Microchip Implanted?

• Animal microchip implants are inserted by a veterinarian via a large-bore needle.
• The needle injects the microchip just under the skin.

Where is the Microchip Implanted?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the typical rule for implantation in dogs and cats is that the microchip’s long axis remains parallel to the animal’s longitudinal axis.

What Should be Done Once the Microchip is Implanted?
Possibly the most important step of implanting a microchip is to register the contact information as soon as possible.

Are There Dangers Associated with Microchip Implantation?

• Implantation of a microchip usually results in some inflammation at the site of the implantation, but the inflammation does not usually last .
• However, improper implantation can be potentially life-threatening. 
• In the United States, implanting microchips are considered to be a veterinary procedure.

Why Microchip when Animals have Identification Tags and Tattoos?

• Tags and tattoos have long been used as a means for animal identification, but tags can get stolen or lost and tattoos can be disfiguring.
• A microchip provides a permanent means of identification and owner contact.

Additional Questions a Client Might Ask:

Is the procedure painful?
Implanting the microchip involves only an injection under the skin; the procedure is very similar to receiving a vaccination.

Does the microchip act as a GPS?
No. The microchip is not a tracking device; its only job is to store the identifying number necessary for owner contact.

What are microchips encased in?
Microchips are encased in a form of bioglass which is a type of glass-ceramic biocompatible material used specifically for implant materials.

Do microchips work with a battery?
No. Microchips have no internal energy source, and they remain dormant until scanned.

Can a microchip move around in the body?
Most microchips are covered by a sheath that prevents movement.Some microchips are made to bond with the tissue under the skin to ensure that they stay in place.

Office Practices to Help Ensure Safety of Client’s Pets

• Complete registration of newly implanted microchips for clients
• Scan microchipped animals during regular wellness exams to ensure that microchips are still working
• Remind clients that microchips are not effective if registration of contact information is not kept up-to-date
• Scan stray animals that are brought into the office for microchips
• Alert clients that travel with pets that many countries now require a microchip for animals that travel in and out of their boundaries

Contact your Covetrus representative today at 855.724.3461  or visit our pet identification page for more information on pet identification options.

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