Microchipping

We recommend microchipping your pets to ensure recovery if they get lost.

In the event of an accidental separation, identification tags on your pet’s collar are very important and are the quickest way to get him home.  For example, if someone who lives two blocks away finds your pet and he is wearing a collar with ID tags, that person is likely to call you directly. If for some reason your pet does not have tags or if he detached his collar in the escape, the microchip is the next level of protection.

Microchips are tiny transmitters (about the size of a grain of rice) that are implanted just under the skin, between the shoulder blades.  They are implanted by injection, very similar to vaccine administration.  Your pet does not need to be anesthetized to have a microchip placed.  Once placed, the microchip does not cause any pain or discomfort.

Microchips are made of an inert, biocompatible substance. It will not cause an allergic reaction, will not degrade over time, and is designed not to migrate through the tissues. The microchip does not have any internal power source and is inactive most of the time.  When a scanner is passed over the pet’s shoulders, the microchip gets enough power from the scanner to transmit your pet’s personal identification number to the scanner. Virtually all veterinary hospitals and animal shelters have scanners. The scanner displays your pet’s identification number, the veterinary hospital or animal shelter contacts the registry to get your name and telephone number, and they contact you to let you know they have your dog or cat.

We use the microchip company called “HomeAgain” but the scanners are universal and will read any brand of microchip.  If you lose your pet and contact the HomeAgain company, they will also help you by alerting veterinarians and shelters in the surrounding area in which your pet was lost.

The biggest downside of a microchip is that it can’t work if you do not register your microchipped pet with the registry.  In addition, there have been extremely rare reports of migration of microchips and irritation or tumor development at the site of the microchip.  We have not seen any of our patients at the Animal Hospital of Nashua have any reactions or problems associated with microchips.

Please call us if you have any questions or want to microchip your pet. 603.880.3034