Are You Ready to Chip Your Dog?

It has been rumored among dog breeders for at least 8 years that the State Duma is about to adopt a law on the obligatory chipping of animals. While in some countries the implantation of electronic chips is still voluntary, then in the countries of the European Union each owner voluntarily brings his dog to the clinic for chipping. This procedure has been carried out for over 20 years.

What is chipping

Chipping dogs – assigning a 15-digit unique identification number to animals by introducing a special miniature device – an electronic chip – under the skin of the shoulder blades. Such a device consists of a protective glass capsule, a receiver and transmitter, an antenna, and a memory unit. The unique code, consisting of 15 digits, is entered into the International Unified Database of Chipped Animals immediately after the chip insertion operation, and an identification card is issued to the owner.

For example, consider what the code numbers mean: 643093411112222, where 643 is the Russian code, 0 is the division number, 934 is the manufacturer’s code, and 11112222 is the unique chip number itself. If necessary (for example, if the dog is lost), you can read the code using a special scanner, which is available today in most city veterinary hospitals and kennels for temporary animal keeping.

Previously, pedigree dogs were given painful marks on the inside of the ear, thigh, abdomen, or groin to prevent theft of the pet, as well as to confirm the purebreds of the animal. Today, all the important information about a dog is stored in a small chip (measuring from 2 mm x 12 mm to 1.4 mm x 8 mm), resembling a grain of rice in shape. Such an identifier is implanted under the skin in the area of ​​the withers without causing any significant discomfort to the dog. With the help of an implanted chip, you can find out comprehensive information about the animal and even some important data of the owner:

• The type and gender of the animal (dog, female/male); 
• Photo of the dog; 
• Dog breed; 
• Pet’s date of birth; 
• Doggie nickname; 
• Coat color; 
• Special signs of the dog (for example, chronic diseases); 
• FULL NAME. the owner of the dog; 
• Country and address of residence; 
• Email address; 
• Telephone for communication (it is possible to indicate several numbers); 
• Owner’s passport data.

Why dogs are chipped

To make it easier for the owner to make a decision for or against the implantation of an electronic device into the pet’s subcutaneous space, let us consider in more detail why the dog should be microchipped:

1. An adult purebred dog can be stolen, and a young and gambling doggie can easily escape from the owner on its own. The chip will help the owner to quickly reunite with his lost friend. And this is perhaps the most important chipping function; 
2. The chip can store information about the health characteristics of the animal. Such information can be valuable to the veterinarian if the dog is lost; 
3. In some foreign countries, it is prohibited to import uncoated animals. Therefore, you will have to travel without a faithful friend; 
4. Chipped dogs are usually allowed to participate in International Dog Shows. Perhaps this rule will soon affect our country; 
5. Finally, if necessary in court, it is much easier for the owner to prove the rights to their dog if it is microchipped.

How is chipping done for dogs

So, we have already found out that there is a lot of benefit from an electronic ID. But for every owner, of course, it is exciting how dogs are chipped. It’s simple:

1. The animal must be delivered to the clinic at the appointed time (in some veterinary institutions they may offer a specialist visit to the house); 
2. The doctor pushes the dog’s fur on the withers, treats the skin in this area with an antiseptic, and the puncture site with alcohol; 
3. A chip is inserted under the skin using a special syringe. At the same time, the animal feels a minimum of pain, as when the vaccine was administered. Soon after implantation, the electronic capsule becomes overgrown with tissues, its materials do not cause allergic reactions; 
4. Then all the formalities are settled (the data of the dog and the owner are entered into the database, a mark is made in the veterinary passport about the chipping procedure, etc.); 
5. For several days, you can put on a protective collar on the dog so that the dog does not try to lick or comb the chip insertion site.

Several important questions about chipping

1. At what age do dogs get chips? You can bring a puppy over the age of 1 month to the procedure; 
2. If the chipped dog is lost, can its whereabouts be tracked? Unfortunately, this cannot be done, because the chip is not a GPS navigator. The owner can be informed that the dog has been found only if the institution where it was sheltered will have a scanner for reading chips; 
3. Will the materials of the chip capsule cause allergies? There is nothing to worry about: the capsule material is biologically inert glass, which does not cause any pathological reactions; 
4. How often should a dog be chipped? This procedure is carried out once, there is no need to do chipping again; 
5. Are there any contraindications for chipping dogs? There are no direct contraindications for chipping, but some veterinarians advise postponing the introduction of the device under the skin of animals with infectious diseases and various diseases in the acute stage. Also, the chip should not be implanted in newborn puppies and very elderly dogs; 
6. Are there any complications after chip implantation? The only possible complication is an infection of the wound that forms after the introduction of a needle with a chip. In the next few days after the procedure, the dog should not be allowed to lick or scratch the wound, and the owner should not touch the injection site with dirty hands, and the dog should not be bathed in natural waters; 
7. Can a mongrel dog be chipped? Sure! Both non-pedigree animals and pedigree animals without documents are allowed to carry out the procedure.