Microchipping Your Pet

   We finally did it.  Last Friday we took Bentley to see our AAHA accredited vet to be microchipped.  It is something that I have given a lot of thought to over the past few years.  I had what I considered legitimate excuses.  The thing is; that’s exactly what they were…excuses.  To be honest, they weren’t even great excuses.  Now, Bentley walks around with a chip between his shoulders!

 

Bentley is in chip-shape and I have the card to prove it.

 A microchip is a tiny computer chip housed in a special glass that is compatible with living tissue.  Once your pet has been microchipped, there is no need to change or replace it.

   Our vet, Dr. Mirts cleaned the skin where he would be inserting the chip.  He showed us the needle and explained everything as he proceeded.  The special syringe is large, about a 14 to 16 gauge.  The actual microchip is the diameter of a pencil lead and as long as a piece of rice.  It is inserted under the skin between the shoulders. 

   One of my biggest fears was that it would be painful for Bentley.  Unless the

A scan assured us the numbers matched
on our records and the chip.

chip is being inserted during another medical procedure, there is no need for sedation.  The doctor said it would feel like getting a flu shot.  Bentley did not even flinch or yelp.  Of course, having all that excess skin may have helped.  Bentley claims it’s because he is one tough cookie.

   Before inserting, Dr. Mirts scanned the syringe that included the chip with a special handheld device. He then compared the chip number to make sure it matched the packaging. As soon as the chip was in place, he scanned the wand over Bentley’s back.  It displayed the chip number from inside Bentley’s body.  We were able to read his unique chip number on the screen.     
   It’s a good

Bentley did not react at all to the needle.  Big Boy!

idea to have your vet scan your dog’s chip on your annual visit to ensure that it hasn’t moved.  That’s all there was to it at the vet’s.  *Bentley wants everyone to know that he has lost FIVE pounds!

   All that was left to do was register our microchip with the company.  A one-time fee may apply, but ours was included in the cost of the implantation. Registering was very quick, easy, and our chip’s site Petlink, was user friendly.  I also have a card with the chip number to carry in my billfold. Bentley has a tag that lets folks know that he has a chip.

   The best way to keep our pets from getting lost is to be a responsible owner

Yes sir, it's in there all right!

.  Don’t let your dog or cat run loose.  Always make sure your pet has ID tags on their collar with current information.  I now know that microchipping is simple and painless for a pet.  Our next pet will be microchipped right away.  It gives me a sense of security that I didn’t realize I was missing. 

   Are your pets microchipped?

**SPECIAL NEWS BULLETIN: We are beyond excited to announce that we won The Lucy Pet Foundation's $500 shelter donation!  Our local Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana will be thrilled. Thank you so much to the fabulous people at The Lucy Foundation!