Can You Feel Your Dogs Microchip?

If you have ever owned a dog, then you are probably familiar with the concept of microchipping.

Microchips are tiny transponders implanted under your dog’s skin.

They can be used by animal shelters and rescue organizations to identify lost pets.

However, they can also be used to help reunite owners with their dogs if these animals get out of the house.

Can You Feel Your Dogs Microchip

The Risks of Microchipping Your Dog

Nowadays, it is safe to say that most people are aware of the risks associated with microchipping.

It has become commonplace for people to microchip their pets when they purchase them from breeders or pet stores.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t other dangers associated with microchipping.

Dangers Associated with Injecting Dogs With Microchips

Injecting microchips into your dog’s body may not seem like an issue at first glance.

After all, injecting a small object under your dog’s skin shouldn’t cause any harm.

However, things can go wrong in several different ways.

For instance, the microchip might break free from the needle and travel through the bloodstream, causing serious damage to internal organs.

If the microchip breaks free from its injection site and travels through the bloodstream, the consequences could be fatal.

Even if the microchip does not break free from its injection site, it can still pose health hazards.

After all, a needle punctures the skin, which can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risks associated with microchipping your dog.

Risk of Infection

If the microchip breaks loose from its injection site, then bacteria can enter the bloodstream.

A broken microchip can carry harmful bacteria, such as E.

coli, streptococcus viridans, and staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

These bacteria are dangerous because they can spread quickly throughout the body and cause infections.

An infection caused by these bacteria could lead to sepsis, which is a type of blood poisoning.

Luckily, you can reduce the risk of infection by following some basic precautions.

First, wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling the microchip.

Second, avoid sharing needles with others.

Finally, keep your dog away from other animals until the microchip has healed completely.

Infections Caused By Broken Microchips

Even though microchips do not contain any toxic chemicals, they can still pose a threat to your dog’s health.

This is especially true if the microchip breaks loose from its injection site and causes an infection.

For example, if the microchip gets stuck in a vein and cuts off the flow of blood to the area where it was injected, then bacteria will begin to multiply inside the blood vessels.

If the infection spreads to the lungs, then this can cause pneumonia, which is a severe disease that is often fatal.

As a result, it is essential to treat a broken microchip immediately in order to prevent further complications.

How to Microchip Your Dog

To microchip your dog, you will need to take them to the vet or do it yourself at home.

There are two ways for you to inject the chip into your dog:

  • You can use an injection gun, which costs around $20-$30.

If your dog has not been microchipped before, this is the best way to go about it as it is less invasive than having a chip inserted surgically.

  • You can use a hand-held automatic implanter, which costs around $100-$150 depending on brand and model.

This method is more expensive, but allows you to insert the chip in multiple places.

Once you have decided which method you want to use, the next step is to schedule an appointment with your local veterinarian.

When you arrive at the clinic, you will fill out paperwork that includes your name, address, phone number, contact information for your insurance company, and other important details.

Afterward, the doctor will perform a physical examination on your dog to make sure there is no medical condition that would prevent them from being microchipped.

How Much Does Microchipping a Dog Cost?

The cost of microchipping varies depending on where in the world you live.

In the United States, it costs about $15-20 USD.

This is not an expensive price for something that can save a life.

If you are looking for a cheaper option, check out this article on how to microchip your cat instead.

You may want to consider getting your dog microchipped at a vet’s office or grooming shop instead of going directly to a pet store.

Pet stores typically sell microchips as impulse purchases.

They do not offer any discounts, but there are often other products being sold at the same time.

In addition, some pet stores will tell you that the microchip is included in the price of the service that you are purchasing.

This is not always true.

A good rule of thumb when it comes to buying anything from a pet store is to ask them for a written price quote before making your final decision.

Some people prefer to use a vet’s office because they offer better prices and more personalized services.

Other people prefer to go directly to a veterinary clinic since they are experienced at implanting chips and can provide more accurate details regarding the procedure.

 Can You Feel Your Dogs Microchip

What Are the Alternatives to Microchipping Your Dog?

Unfortunately, there is no other way for a person to know that their dog has been microchipped.

This means that if you lose track of your pet or it gets stolen, it may never be returned to you.

The best thing about microchipping is that it can be done at any time during a dog’s life.

In fact, many people who own multiple dogs will microchip one or two of them before introducing another into their home.

However, this does not mean that there are no alternatives available to microchipping.

If you do not want to implant a chip in your dog, then there are several things you can do instead.

Here are some of the most common options for identifying your dog when they go missing:

Dog Tags

A tag on your dog’s collar will make it easier for a vet to find your pet if he goes missing

. However, tags come off easily and are often removed by curious children, so they are not reliable.

Collar ID

This is a small piece of metal attached to your pet’s collar that contains information about your dog.

Collar ID is effective only if your dog wears a collar, which is true for most breeds.

A good example of a collar ID system is the PetSafe System.

This system uses RFID chips embedded in the collar to communicate with a compatible scanner.

GPS Tracking Device

A GPS tracking device is the most effective method of locating an escaped dog.

These devices use satellites to send precise location data to a central database.

The drawback of GPS tracking devices is that they are expensive and require a monthly subscription fee from the company that provides the service.

Pet Locator Service

These services allow you to report your dog’s whereabouts online.

Some locator services use phone lines while others use satellite technology.

All of these services charge a fee each time a call is made to check up on your dog’s location.

Most of these services are free for the first few hours after a call is placed, but they cost money afterwards.

Vet Records

If you adopt a dog from a shelter, you should take the opportunity to meet him or her in person.

After doing so, you will need to visit a veterinarian to get your dog’s medical records.

These records contain a detailed history of your new pet’s health, including his vaccination status and any history of illness or injury.

Contacting Local Shelters

You should contact local shelters as soon as you realize that your dog has gone missing.

Shelters generally keep track of every animal that comes through their doors.

They can provide you with information about your dog’s past behavior and current physical condition.

FAQs About Microchipping Your Dog

Here are some FAQs about microchipping your dog.

1. What Is a Microchip?

A microchip is an electronic device that contains information about your dog.

When your dog loses their collar, they will be able to find their way home through the microchip.

A microchip is much smaller than a regular chip (a coin) and is placed under the skin between your dog’s shoulders.

It has the same function as a regular chip, but it is smaller and more durable.

2. Does My Dog Have to Wear Their Chip?

No, you don’t have to put your dog in a harness whenever they go outside.

The microchip is small enough to remain hidden inside your pet’s body.

They do not need to wear a tag at all times.

3. How Long Do the Chips Last?

When your dog is microchipped, they will always carry around a little piece of plastic in their body.

This means that they will never lose contact with the microchip.

If your dog gets lost and is returned to you, they will still be able to find their way back home because of the microchip.

4. Can I Get My Dog’s Microchip Removed?

Yes, but this depends on how long ago the dog was microchipped.

Most people who had their dogs chipped 10 years ago can still retrieve their chips from the database.

If your dog was chipped less than five years ago, then they may have already been removed from the database.

Why You Should or Shouldn’t Microchip Your Dog

The idea behind microchipping is simple:

If your pet gets loose and ends up in the wrong hands, the microchip will allow you to track them
down.

When it comes to microchipping your own dog, there are several reasons why you should consider
doing so.

First, microchipped pets are less likely to become lost since they will be easy to find.

Second, if your dog does escape from home, you will know that you can easily locate them using
the microchip.

This is because the microchip has an individual identification number (ID) assigned to each device.

In other words, if someone finds your dog, they can scan its ID and contact you directly.

Third, microchipping your dog means that you will always be able to find them even if they go
missing for a long period of time.

Finally, if your dog is found as a stray, you will be able to have them scanned for free at any shelter
or veterinary clinic.

This is because the microchip is registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC), which maintains
a database of all microchipped pets.

However, there are certain situations where you might want to avoid microchipping your dog.

For example, if your dog has been adopted and you no longer need the information contained on
the chip, then you might not want to microchip them.

Similarly, if your dog is currently being treated by a veterinarian, then you might not want to
microchip him because he could later become ill and require emergency treatment.

It is also possible to lose your dog’s microchip, and this would mean that you would never be able
to locate it again.

So, before getting your dog microchipped, make sure that this is something you really want to do.

Megan Turner

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