Having a pet go missing can be a terrifying experience. While it is impossible to prevent all accidents, there are preventative measures you can take, including microchipping. Microchipping your pet greatly increases the chances that you will find it if it ever gets lost. At Callahan Drive Animal Hospital in Knoxville, TN, our veterinarian provides pet microchipping and will guide you through the process.
How Microchips Work
A microchip is a small electronic chip enclosed in a glass cylinder. It is implanted between your dog or cat’s shoulder blades with a thin needle. The microchip is associated with a unique identification number that is typically registered in a database. As a pet owner, you must register your pet’s microchip and include your contact information.
If your pet is found missing and is brought to a shelter or vet, the chip can be scanned. They can then contact you and reunite you with your pet. Microchips are not associated with GPS and will not enable you to track your pet.
The great thing about microchips is, unlike collars and ID tags, the microchip will not easily fall off or get lost. Microchips are permanent forms identification that last a lifetime and cannot easily be altered or re-programmed.
Implanting Microchips
No surgery or anesthesia is needed to implant a microchip in your pet. Instead, our veterinarian will use a hypodermic needle to insert it, and it can usually happen during a regular pet exam. The process of implanting the microchip is typically no more painful than when your pet receives a routine vaccination.
For the owners, there is typically no special pet care that needs to be handled for the chip. However, if after the chip is implanted you notice any abnormalities at the implant site, for example, oozing or swelling, reach out to our team for further care instructions.
You will also need to make sure your microchip has been registered with your contact information. Also, if you move or your contact info changes, you will need to update that information on the pet registry.
Visit Our Veterinarian in Knoxville, TN for Pet Microchipping
Microchipping your pet is a great way to keep your pet safe and give yourself peace of mind. At Callahan Drive Animal Hospital in Knoxville, TN, our veterinary team provides microchipping for pets. We are happy to answer any questions you have about the process. Call us today to schedule an appointment.