AKC CAR Microchip? Have to decide by tomorrow... ;-{

[Bonne Bouche]

BoBou is getting some of his manly parts removed tomorrow (neutered), and we are still on the fence about getting him Microchipped at the same time. We know we want to, but I was really hoping for AVID which our vet doesn't do (haven't asked why). We're moving in a week, and will be getting a new vet shortly after we move, at that point we could get microchipped, potentially with AVID. However, since we are moving, we are extra worried about the need for a microchip NOW.

 

I've searched, and not seen much about the AKC branded microchip here on DK. Anyone have any gut reactions for or against this? I'm also worried about it migrating, since BB is still pretty young 5.5 months, and was hoping to do it initially around 1 year.

 

Random, but our vet is charging $55 with the registration included, that sound about typical?

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

I am not overly versed on this topic but Hunter does have the Avid chip. What I would check is how common the scanner is for the AKC chip since some are universal. Is there another vet or rescue you could go to with Avid before you move? Hunter had hers done at 7 weeks I belie e and it has not migrated much, her breeder actually did it.

[Bonne Bouche]

Its not as good as AVID, thats why I was hoping for AVID. I seriously don't get how they cant have a universal scanner. It makes no sense!

 

[Bonne Bouche]

Copied from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microchip_implant_%28animal%29

Expected results for chip type (OK=Good read NR=No read DO=Detect Only with no number given)
Scanner to test	ISO Conformant Full Duplex chip	AVID Encrypted "FriendChip"	Original U.S. HomeAgain, AVID Eurochip,[Note 8] or FECAVA	"Trovan Unique" and current AKC CAR chips
Minimal ISO Conformant Scanner (also must read HALF Duplex chips common in livestock ear tags)	OK	NR	NR	NR
AVID Basic U.S. Scanner[17]	NR	OK	NR	NR
AVID Deluxe U.S. Scanner	NR	OK	OK	NR
AVID Universal Scanner sold outside U.S.[18]	OK	OK	OK	NR Assumed
AVID MiniTracker Pro Scanner announced August 2008[19]	OK	OK	OK	NR according to some (Few have seen one.)
Various vintages of U.S. HomeAgain "Universal" Shelter Scanners by Destron/Digital Angel Corp.	NR,DO, or OK	OK	OK	Possibly all OK
Typical Destron/Digital Angel Corp. U.S. Vet's scanner pre-2007 [20]	NR	DO	OK	DO
Trovan LID-560-MULTI per mfr. specs on Web[21]	OK	OK	OK	OK
U.S. Trovan Pocket Scanner per AKC-CAR Web Site[22]	DO	OK	OK	OK
U.S. Trovan ProScan700 per AKC-CAR Web Site[23]	OK	OK	OK	OK
Original 2006 Datamars Black Label Scanner[24]	OK	OK	OK	OK but Reliability Questioned
Datamars Black Label Scanner "classypets" model[25]	OK	NR or DO?	OK	OK but Reliability Questioned
Banfield-Distributed 2004-2005 Vintage Datamars Scanners	OK	Possibly all DO	OK	Possibly all OK but Reliability Questioned (Undocumented Feature)
Datamars Minimax and Micromax[26]	OK	NR	NR	NR
Typical Homemade Scanner[27]	OK	OK but extra step required (web-based decryption service)	OK	OK

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

JD has an Avid chip which was implanted by the shelter when he was neutered.

 The reason the chipping is often done with the spay/neuter is that it is painful. The chip may only be the size of a grain of rice, but think how big a needle would have to be for a grain of rice to pass through it. So for that reason, it's better to have it done while the dog is under anesthetic anyway.

That said, dogs get chipped every day and get through it just fine. A chip isn't much good if it can't be read. :(

 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am just going to be true to myself... I would not be me if I wouldn't start worrying that Jack's microchip that is Home Again, won't be able to be read... Geeze, knock me out with a bat, I do have his checked every time I go to the vet, but they have the home again system so of course that is going to read with that.

 

[Angie, Hudson and Lily]

Hudson came microchipped at 9 wks. When we picked out Lily at 6 wks of age, the breeder microchipped her right after we chose her and gave us the number (we were coming back in 2 weeks to get her). She didn't even cry or whimper when it was done. She acted like nothing had happened. Both Hudson and Lily have the Avid chip.

[Lynn D.]

I had 2 kittens microchipped (by the rescue) in my arms they purred through the whole thing. I believe its a 16 gauge needle, so it's not tiny but it's not a garden hose either.

Echo was done at 7 weeks by the breeder's vet. No other procedure was done that required anesthesia. I am sure it stings a bit, but not like getting your ears pierced.

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

We had Daisy Microchipped when she was spayed....$25 when done at the same time and that included registering, if we did it separately it would have been $70.

Oh and Daisy is AVID Home Again.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I would probably chip him. Call Avid and ask if you can re-register the chip with them.  Our rescue was already chipped with a Home Again chip.  I paid Home Again and I registered him with Avid too (my other dogs are Avid registered).  He is doubly protected now. I have only Avid's number to call as the chip contact, but since the actual chip number denotes a Home Again chip, I wanted to make sure if there was a glitch and the Avid person didn't really look to see that he was registered with them, that he would be found up to date on the Home Again list.  It just is not that expensive.

When Ned was chipped it hurt him and he cried, but none of our other dogs have even noticed it being done.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Nancy - I was reading this and I'm so glad that you said this, I'm going to have to dig some papers out tomorrow and look but Stuart is chipped with HomeAgain and if I remember - Rooney is a different company.  I'm going to check on the crossing register.

[Elizabeth & *Kosci*.]

All my dogs have been microchiped. And it's now law that puppies and kittens in Australia by 12 weeks are microchiped. ( especially if there being sold.) They also have to be registered with your local council, there is a life time registration.

[Jennifer Tramell]

Our microchip cost around $30.  We got it done at a local low-cost spay/neuter clinic and it was done at the same time as the shots.  I think my dogs were 4-6 months old.  If you want AVID, just call around and find a vet who does AVID - your local animal shelter may do shots and microchips.  Doesn't sound like you are getting a price cut for having it done with the neutering.