Check those microchips...
Hi All,
Awhile back I remember reading a post here mentioning that you should periodically check that your dogs microchip is still present and accounted for... I think it was John who ran into the issue with Al or Gwynnie. I finally remembered to ask about it when I took Chewey in yesterday for a routine shot (after forgetting to the previous 2-3 times!)... I'm glad I did. Sure enough, they couldn't find it on Chewey anywhere. Both the vet and vet tech scanned his entire body trying to find it and couldn't. Both of them seemed somewhat surprised - they said they often see them migrate but have rarely seen them go completely missing.
In any case, if your dog is microchipped and you happen to be into the vet... might want to ask them to do a scan...
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tauna and Kota on
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WOW! that is scary! I wonder where it went. I hope no where important. Perhaps get an x-ray? to see where it went to make sure it's not near any vital organs? Thanks for the tip!
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Permalink Reply by Snickmom on
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If your vet installed it, would they replace it if it got lost or quit working? I wonder if they come with warranties? 3 years or 60.000 kibbles. LOL
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Permalink Reply by Melissa and Franklin! on
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When having your vet scan for a chip also make sure they use a universal scanner. The vet I work at used to use a Res-q scanner and some old Avid scanners, it wasn't until I scanned 2 different dogs who's owners KNEW they had chips and the scanners weren't reading that I realized that these scanners where not reading all chips, when I scanned both dogs with our HomeAgain scanner both chips were read. I of course informed my manager who promptly ordered 2 more Home Again scanners and we have since gotten rid of the other scanners. Just makes me wonder how many lost dogs we scanned that actually had chips our readers weren't picking up. They were mostly missing Avid chips and I still have trouble sometimes picking up Avid chips. Two days ago it took 3 techs to find a dogs microchip because they were trying to scan too fast for the reader to pick up, again this was with Avid chips. I still have yet to run across a dog or cat who's chip has actually quit working or gone missing.
If you do decide to get a 2nd chip implanted make sure to keep both chips registered and updated. User error plays a big role in searching for a microchip so it may still be there but they scanned incorrectly or the scanner wasn't working right, the next person who scans may find that chip so just make sure both remain current if that's the case. It's always a great idea to check the chips and your registration at your yearly exams, this is routine for our hospital but no other hospital I've worked at has done routine chip checks.
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Permalink Reply by Diane on
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Thanks for all the good info! I don't remember what type of scanner they were using, but it was at the same vet where they did the original implant (hmmmm... maybe conflict of interests ;->) I do know that they were able to read it after it was done originally. They also tested the scanner on several different chips when they were having problems with it. It's through Home Again but I don't know if that meant they were actually using a Home Again scanner.
I had them do another implant simply because I was already there and it saved me another trip, but I didn't think to save both numbers... In fact I got rid of the original number because I didn't want to get confused, so I'll have to go back and see if I have a record of it somewhere else.
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If its through home again then any scanner should read it. Maybe it did back out like with Al (or Gwennie's) chip. Weird! If your vet implanted it, they should be able to tell you the old microchip number as well as the new. I need to have Franklin's chip checked too its been a while.
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Or I might be able to check it online before the new one gets registered (not sure how quickly that actually happens). The vet and vet tech were both fairly surprised as well... I don't think the vet believed it which was why she did a second and third scan after the tech talked to her ;-> She said the only time she's seen that happen is right after the chip was implanted (through the injection site). Course who knows how long ago it happened... it was scanned not long after it was originally implanted but that's it.
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Permalink Reply by Robyn - Halo's Mom on
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You should check with the company to see if they will waive the fees. The chips we use at our vet clinic (in Canada)...the company will allow us to re-chip an animal no charge if the chip stops functioning. Just a thought...why pay twice?
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Permalink Reply by Chloe's parent Liz on
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I have them scan Chloe every visit.
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