Chipping Dogs

What is a chip

A chip, or transponder, is a microscopic device containing digital information in the form of a code. The chip is located inside a bio-glass capsule. The standard size is 12 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter. But there is also a mini-version: 8 mm in length and 1.4 mm in diameter. Small capsules are used for chipping small dogs, as well as cats, rodents, reptiles and other small animals. The characteristics of the shortened chips practically do not differ from the standard ones. They have a shorter reading range, so there is no special point in putting them to a dog – such devices were created for small animals that cannot be implanted with a full-size transponder.

Main elements of the chip:

• receiver;
• transmitter;
• antenna;
• memory.

Chips are sold already programmed, the manufacturer has a 15-digit code written into the memory. The first 3 digits are the code designation of the country, the next 4 are the manufacturer, the remaining 8 are the unique number assigned to a specific animal. The device is read-only; it is not possible to change the digital information.

All codes are entered into the database along with information about the animals to which they belong. The dog's breed, nickname, health status, vaccinations, name, phone number and address of the owner are indicated. All devices are standardized according to the ISO and FDX-B system. A single technical regulation makes it possible to obtain data about a dog in any country in the world with a scanner. There is no common global database yet – information can be entered into any one with which the veterinary clinic works. But there are several large search sites that are linked to various databases from around the world. In Russia, the most popular and convenient is "ANIMAL-ID", which contains almost 300 thousand records.

The capsule with the chip is sterile and sold sealed inside a special syringe. The transponder is located in a liquid that facilitates insertion and engraftment. The capsule material is biologically compatible with animal tissues and does not cause rejection.

How is chipping going

Chipping of dogs is performed in a veterinary clinic. There are many instructions on the Internet for self-conducting the procedure, the chips are also on free sale. But it is still not recommended to carry out chipping on your own, if you are not a veterinarian. The procedure requires precision, hygiene, and the correct choice of the injection site.

If you still decide to install the chip yourself, then purchase it only from reliable companies that are ready to provide documentation. It is absolutely not necessary to take such a device on Chinese trading platforms. Also keep in mind that most databases work only with veterinary clinics, but there are also those that allow owners to register. By itself, implanting a chip does not make sense if you have not entered the code and information into the system.

The procedure for chipping dogs consists of several steps.

1. The doctor scans the chip to check it. The information on the scanner must match the label on the package.
2. The injection site is disinfected.
3. According to international standards, chipping is performed in the withers area. The doctor finds the middle of the line between the shoulder blades, lifts the skin and inserts the syringe at an angle of 30 degrees.
4. The chip insertion site is re-disinfected.
5. The chip is scanned again to check its operation.
6. A barcode from the syringe package is pasted into the passport of the animal.

After chipping, the dog should not be combed and bathed for 2-4 days. It is also necessary to prevent animals from licking the injection site. If the pet is still trying to do this, buy a special plastic collar.

The implanted chip cannot be removed or changed. All of this information has legal significance. The identification card issued to the owner is a kind of certificate proving his right to the dog. You will not need to do any repeated manipulations with the chip - the procedure is a one–time one, and the information is permanently entered into the database.

Preparation and contraindications

Adult dogs and puppies older than 2-3 months can be chipped. There is no need for special training, the requirements are similar to those for vaccination. The animal should be healthy, have all the vaccinations necessary for age, be treated against parasites. It is necessary to wash the dog so that the skin is clean, but you can not do this on the eve of the procedure – preferably 2-3 days before it.

The chip has no effect on the animal's health, it can be administered even to elderly and pregnant dogs. The only contraindication is the presence of chronic skin diseases or skin infections. The procedure is carried out for dogs of all breeds, both short-haired and long-haired. It is not necessary to shave the wool before the injection.

What You Need to Know about Chipping

There are a number of points that a dog owner should pay attention to when chipping.

• The chip must comply with the ISO 11784 and 11785 standards, otherwise, it will not be possible to take the animal abroad.
• It is necessary to find out which database the data will be entered into. We need it to be one of the All-Russian or international systems. If the information is entered into a local database, for example, a nursery, then it will be impossible to count it anywhere outside of it.
• It is necessary to check the correctness of all the data that is entered into the system. First, carefully re-read the completed questionnaire. Secondly, check the data in a single database, whether they were entered correctly by the doctor.
• It is advisable to register in the database used by the clinic as the owner. Then the editing of information about the dog will become available. For example, changing the address or phone number of the owner.

The procedure of chipping dogs is practically painless when performed correctly. The animal simply does not have time to feel the pain, the skin is pierced so quickly and the chip is implanted. But this is true only if the chipping is carried out by a qualified specialist. There are cases when an inexperienced doctor fails to install the capsule, especially if the dog has a long coat.

The chip moves under the skin for a while, within 1-2 cm. This is considered normal. After 2-3 days, the capsule will become overgrown with tissue and become immobile. This does not have any negative effect on the dog's health.

When buying an already chipped dog, it is necessary to find out from the first owner in which database the chip data is entered, and it is also desirable to get a paper passport. Some databases give owners the opportunity to adjust all the information themselves, but there are no uniform rules. In order not to face the problems of dog identification in the future, it is necessary to replace the data of the former owner with your own.

There is a misconception that a dog can be tracked by an implanted chip. This is not the case at all – it is not a GPS tracker and does not produce any radiation. To find out information about the dog, it is necessary to bring the scanner at a sufficient distance to the injection site. If the dog is lost, the chip will help to find it, but only indirectly. The owner can only hope that the lost animal will be taken to the clinic, where there is a scanner and access to the database. According to the information received, the employee will be able to contact the owner and report the find.

Do I need a chip if there is a brand: advantages of chipping

All professional breeders in Russia brand puppies before selling. The brand is an alphanumeric image, where the letters define the kennel, and the numbers – the number of the puppy. The brand allows you to find out in which kennel the puppy was born, which confirms its breed. But it does not determine the ownership of the owner. He has other disadvantages:

• the procedure is painful, the risk of infection and local inflammation is high;
• over time, the drawing fades;
• the brand can be forged and changed.

Unlike the brand, the chip cannot be forged, the individual number cannot be changed. An identification card is a kind of certificate of ownership of a dog. This is most relevant for expensive thoroughbred animals. The chip protects against the substitution of a dog in a kennel or at an exhibition.

Until 2012, a brand was still used in the EU along with a chip, but now a dog will not be allowed into any of the EU countries without a chip. If you are going to travel with a pet in Europe, then the installation of a chip is inevitable.

Chipping of dogs is not yet mandatory in Russia, the decision is made at the request of the owner. The cost of the procedure varies depending on the region in the range of 1000-2000 rubles. The price is quite affordable, and no additional costs are required. The main thing that the owner gets after chipping is a high chance of finding his pet if he gets lost, as well as the opportunity to travel abroad with him.