Big Lick Vet is excited to announce that we are now carrying a new microchip from HomeAgain that detects your pet’s temperature in addition to providing a permanent form of identification for your pet! Each pet’s temperature is read by passing a microchip scanner over the pets’ shoulder blades. The scanner emits a low radio frequency that provides the power necessary to transmit the microchips unique cat or dog ID code and positively identify the pet, as well as provide the pet’s temperature.
HomeAgain is the only dog and cat microchipping product on the market today that has the Bio-Bond patented anti-migration feature to help ensure that the microchip will stay in place so that it may be easily located and scanned. If your pet gets lost and is taken to an animal shelter or veterinarian, they will scan the microchip to read its unique dog or cat ID code. This is the number used by HomeAgain to identify the pet and retrieve your contact information, which is used to contact you and reunite you with your pet in the event you are separated.
The HomeAgain TempScan can do all the things a typical pet microchip does but will also detect the temperature of the site where the microchip has been implanted and help monitor fluctuations in body temperature. Normal body temperature is a range, which varies from one pet to another, and can be influenced by factors such as time of day, level of stress, medical conditions, age, body condition score and level of activity.
We at Big Lick Vet know how much you care about your pet and recommend they be microchipped in case the unexpected occurs. Don’t know much about microchipping but would like to learn more? The following are frequently asked questions regarding microchipping that we think will help you better understand the process and why your pet should be microchipped.
What is a microchip? How does it work?
A microchip is a computer chip enclosed in a small glass cylinder (about the size of a grain of rice) that is injected under your pet’s skin as a means of identification. Each microchip is connected to an online registry of owner contact information. In the event that your pet is lost and taken to a shelter or veterinary hospital, he will be scanned for a microchip. Here at Big Lick Vet, we scan each patient that comes through our doors. If the contact information on file is up to date, you can be quickly notified and reunited with your pet.
How is the microchip implanted? Will it hurt my pet?
Implanting a microchip is quick, easy, and painless. Your veterinarian will inject the microchip under your pet’s skin between the shoulder blades. The injection is performed with a hypodermic needle that is slightly larger than those used for vaccinations. No anesthesia is required, though animals that are already anesthetized for procedures such as a neuter or spay might be microchipped at the same time.
How much of my information is accessible via microchip? Do I need to be concerned about my privacy?
The only information that will be accessible from your pet’s microchip is the contact information you provide to the manufacturer’s microchip registry. This information will be used to contact you in the event that your pet is found and his microchip is scanned. Any other personal information, including your pet’s health record or other medical information, will not be included.
My pet wears a collar with ID tags. Do I really need to microchip? Does my pet’s microchip replace his tags?
Collars and current tags are still the quickest and easiest way to identify a pet’s owner. Additionally, most cities also require pets to have both rabies tags and a city license—information that is not provided by a microchip.
However, collars and tags can become lost or damaged, making it difficult for animal control or shelter personnel to identify a pet’s owner. Using tags and a microchip together—and ensuring both are regularly updated—is the best way to ensure your pet’s safe return.
Is microchipping expensive?
While prices vary depending on veterinary hospital, here at Big Lick Vet, we charge $45. This includes the cost of microchip implantation as well as registration to enter your pet’s ID number in the microchip database, or to change your contact information. Feel free to reach out to Big Lick Vet for more information.
Does microchipping really help lost pets get home?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “A study of more than 7,700 stray animals at animal shelters showed that dogs without microchips were returned to their owners 21.9 percent of the time, whereas microchipped dogs were returned to their owners 52.2 percent of the time. Cats without microchips were reunited with their owners only 1.8 percent of the time, whereas microchipped cats went back home 38.5 percent of the time.”
In the cases of those animals who were microchipped but weren’t returned to their owners, the AVMA states that this was primarily due to missing or incorrect owner information in the microchip databases.
Do microchips cause side effects?
According to a database maintained by the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA), over 4 million animals have been microchipped since 1996. Of those 4 million animals, only 391 have had adverse reactions. The most common problem reported is migration of the microchip from its original implantation site.
We offer microchipping here at Big Lick Veterinary Services! Come visit us today!