Thoughts on Microchipping...?

[Kate]

Is your dog microchipped?

My little guy is due to get microchipped this week, and even though I think microchipping is in general a great idea, I'm just a touch nervous b/c I have read some articles that suggest sarcomas are possible at the microchip site...certainly not the norm by any stretch, but...?

What are your thoughts and experiences with this?

[Kate]

So is the general consensus to microchip when they are a little older to avoid the chip from moving as they grow?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

IMO, the ideal thing would be to postpone both the spay/neuter and the microchipping until the puppy is about 6 months old, but many doodle breeders will not let a dog go home intact, as it is too difficult for them to enforce a spay/neuter contract. And if a puppy is being shipped, I suppose for safety's sake, it's a good idea to have a chip. But perhaps if you are picking up your puppy, you might be able to persuade your breeder to allow you to do the chipping yourself. Be aware that most private vets charge $50-60 to chip a dog, and there is some momentary pain, which is why it's nice to have it done when the dog is under anesthetic for the spay/neuter.

[Kate]

Karen, I will wait until he is 6-7 months and getting neutered and do it then. My breeder was totally cool with me waiting to chip until later. She mentioned tattooing as another option to research b/c that is a little less invasive. Either way I am going to wait until he is neutered. Thanks Karen!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I posted this below, but here's the info for the National Tattoo Registry: http://www.nationaldogregistry.com/

What worries me is this:

Q. How does the finder of a tattooed pet know who to call?

A. If you found a tattooed pet, who would you call? You'd call your vet, your local shelter, an animal control officer, the police, or a dog club. One of these organizations will know the NDR toll-free hotline number (800 NDR-DOGS). NDR sends out continual mailings to these and other organizations in an ongoing educational effort. NDR's toll-free number is advertised in most major animal publications. If you would like our information sent to an organization in your area, just let us know.

 

I'm just not sure it's true that all animal controls, police departments, vets, rescues, etc. are aware of the toll-free number or would know that there even was one. That would be my concern.

[Kate]

Hmmm...that is a good point. Exactly what to tattoo. So microchip is seeming like the best option, but when he is neutered so he can a little older and also be under.

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

My frenchies are all chipped. Zach will get chipped when he is neutered next month. My vet likes to wait until spay/neuter because the chip can migrate when they are younger and it is done with a large needle and he prefers to do it when they are under with the spay/neuter.

[Kate]

This is exactly what I'm going to do. Thanks Cindy!

[Janice Hammond]

We have had two dogs chipped.No problems at all.

Chipping is best.

[Kate]

Thanks Janice!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Yes, chip!  I finally caught up with the times and all my dogs are microchipped.  It gives me confidence that they could be recovered to me if they got lost.  I have the vet check it every time I take them in too.  Of all the dogs in my extended family who have been chipped, Ned is the only one that even noticed the insertion. For Ned is was painful.

[Kate]

Thanks Nancy! I'm going to wait until he gets neutered, so he will be under anesthesia.

[Diane and Alma]

Ask your vet.  Alma is chipped - no problems.   When you take your dog to a vet they do not automatically scan them to make sure they are yours.  If a lost dog is taken to a shelter or vet they can scan them.   The chip indicates a number tied to the chip manufacture with your info.