Micro Chips

[paiceman]

FYI:

We now chip the dogs at the rescue I volunteer at and with the package of chips and injector came a warning. The warning stated that chips can shut down but they can also migrate (move within the dogs body). The chips can also fall out.

So, again, FYI; when we adopt a dog out now the dog has been chipped by our one of us at the rescue. We tell the adoptive parents to have the chip periodically checked when they are in the vets office to see if it is still there. As it happens my own personal dogs was not, it had migrated to her upper right leg from her back of the neck where it's injected. There is really no issue, but we did re-chip her in the correct place as often times animal control only does the neck area and if nothing is found the dog is considered not to be chipped.

We had no idea this happens until we got the info, when we asked the vet techs they said it happens fairly often.

Bud

[Plasma800]

That's interesting, Ill have my dogs checked next time we are in.

[dznf0g]

I had my last dog chipped...16 years ago (she died 2 years ago). I recall being told of the possible migration, again as I recall, during the first year or so after installation. I believe, eventually tissue grows around it and the chance of migration diminishes over time. None-the-less, I had the vet check for location and proper operation periodically throughout her life.

[Dingo Girl]

I was told at my vet that the chips are not universal, in other words certain chips can only be read by the place that put it in. So if another vet, animal control does not have the same brand it cannot be read even if it's there.
Not sure it's true or not.

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by Dingo Girl

I was told at my vet that the chips are not universal, in other words certain chips can only be read by the place that put it in. So if another vet, animal control does not have the same brand it cannot be read even if it's there.
Not sure it's true or not.

Several factors come in to play. There are ISO chips and there are non-ISO chips. IF they have a wide range scanner it can read all of the of the frequencies that the chips have been made with. My recommendation would be to make sure you animal is chipped with an ISO standard chip. Some times standards are a good thing. IIRC there are 3-4 different frequencies.

Aaron

[Dingo Girl]

Thank you!

[paiceman]

Originally Posted by wahoonc

Several factors come in to play. There are ISO chips and there are non-ISO chips. IF they have a wide range scanner it can read all of the of the frequencies that the chips have been made with. My recommendation would be to make sure you animal is chipped with an ISO standard chip. Some times standards are a good thing. IIRC there are 3-4 different frequencies.

Aaron

Good point, however, "most" animal control officers and shelters only check the back of the neck for the chip, if it's migrated they probably will not find it. This is why we recommend to all adoptive parents that they also get a tag made up that says I am chipped - the chip company and the chip # plus chip company phone number. We got ours at Petco, engraved on both sides. I know tags can come off or be taken off but if not it will help.

We actually took our dog to the Vet, they found her chip, down her right leg, which they say most migrate to if they migrate. So, we chipped her again with a chip we use at our Rescue. Now she is a two chipper.

[dznf0g]

Yes, I forgot that. I had a tag for her collar made up, with my contact info and chip ID# engraved on it. PETCO has a machine for custom tags.

[wahoonc]

I use the flat collar tags. I believe I got mine from Boomerang Tags. I have had a couple of dogs get hung up with the dangling tags. Good call on having the Chip # put on the tag. I will need to order an updated one for my pup.

Aaron

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by paiceman

Good point, however, "most" animal control officers and shelters only check the back of the neck for the chip, if it's migrated they probably will not find it. This is why we recommend to all adoptive parents that they also get a tag made up that says I am chipped - the chip company and the chip # plus chip company phone number. We got ours at Petco, engraved on both sides. I know tags can come off or be taken off but if not it will help.

We actually took our dog to the Vet, they found her chip, down her right leg, which they say most migrate to if they migrate. So, we chipped her again with a chip we use at our Rescue. Now she is a two chipper.

I agree that tag migration can be an issue.

Interesting side story... one our neighbors had a small dog disappear, we know there are coyotes in the area. She found a large pile of scat with blonde hair in it, had it checked and the micro chip was in it. At least she knows what happened.

Aaron