Microchipping and Spaying: UPDATE

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Ragley is getting spayed tomorrow and and I am (way) overdue in getting her microchipped so I was planning on getting it done tomorrow during the spay. I am filling out the surgical consent form which includes the microchipping part, but I noticed that the type of microchipping they offer is in the form of a yearly subscription- is that normal? When I rescued my cat four years ago, she came with a microchip that is lifetime registration type of thing. Is there an option for a microchip that I don't have to pay a subscription each year for? It's not that I mind paying for a subscription, but if there is a different option I'd be interested in looking into it.

Also, I think I am prepared for her spay as I have been reading old discussions, etc. and have some experience with it, but any and all advice is welcome! One of my main questions is about the blood screening- it's $44.50 for a basic blood screen- is it worth it?

And, of course- I'll include a picture :)

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Our micro-chips send out a yearly fee but it is only for upgraded service if you so choose.  The basic service of the chip is forever.  My girls just killed their squirrel, that goose may be their next toy.  Ragley is gorgeous.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Different microchip brands/companies have different ways of doing business. Apparently your vet uses one that requires a yearly membership fee to keep the registration current. Maybe Home Again? Unfortunately, you really have no choice unless you take her somewhere else for the chip at a later date, and since it is not a painless procedure (it's momentary, but think how big a needle has to be for something the size of a grain of rice to pass through it), it's easier on the dog to have it done while they are under anesthetic. 

JD was chipped by the shelter when he was neutered, and he has an Avid chip. You pay  a one-time registration fee and that's it, unless you have to change the registration info. No annual fees. 

I always opt to do pre-op bloodwork. With what you are paying for the whole thing, why cut corners to save $44.50? 

I had a foster who needed to be spayed while she was with me. The rescue asked me to find a low cost clinic, which I did. The price did not include the pre-op bloodwork, or IV fluids, or pain meds. When they added all those extras into the cost, the price of spaying her at the"low cost" clinic was $50 less than doing it at my vet's office. I paid the $50 difference as a donation to the rescue and had much more peace of mind during her surgery by my trusted vet. :) 

[Pat and Traveler]

Ragley is adorable!

[Doris]

Ragley is BEAUTIFUL!!  Update us after the surgery please!  Bodi sends doodlekisses for a quick recovery!

[Nancy and Georgia Brown]

She's so beautiful.

Yes keep us updated.

[Robin and Libby Louise]

Good luck sweet Ragley!  And I would pay for the bloodwork, as well.......

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Ragley is so beautiful!  

Quincy has a Home Again chip which includes free telephone consult with a tech (and then if needed a vet)for Poison Control issues.  We used it once when we thought my DH accidentally gave him Motrin (instead of an ax job- lol-bad joke). I think other Poison Control services are around $30 per call, so it already paid for the first year.  They also email all other local to you members a  description and photo if your pet gets lost or goes missing. I don't recall the price, but it's not very much. 

Have a smooth recovery, Ragley! and you too, Momma 

[Ashley, Sadie and Coal]

A gorgeous photo, as always!  We are sending happy thoughts and special prayers for you tomorrow.  

I just registered the pups' microchips a minute ago, and it appears to be a lifetime subscription. Their chips are from Microfindr.  

We did have the pre-op scan done for $39.00.  

Keep us updated!

[Jennifer & Truffle]

A side note re: the spaying. Assuming Ragley will need to wear a cone for any number of days, please don't make the mistake I did and leave it on continuously w/o regularly combing around her neck and chin.  We learned our lesson the hard way, as I mentioned in a recent discussion, and although we've diligently tried to demat Truffle enough to avoid the dreaded shave, our groomer confirmed today that, unfortunately, we need to go down that path. 

Good luck w/ the spay and I'm sure she'll do just great!  

Re: the microchipping - our breeder took care of it and we're with Home Again.  My understanding is that the subscription we have does not require payment of an annual fee. But I'm not 100% sure.

[Miss Ellie]

Sending best wishes to Ragley for a smooth, uneventful spay and a quick, painless recovery...I truly think it is harder on us Moms than it is on them...sending big doodle kisses from Miss Ellie...XO...do keep us posted of her progress!

[Julie, Eloise & Beasley]

Good luck tomorrow, sweet Ragley!  Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You look so happy on your chaise lounge!

We're with Home Again, which has an optional annual membership for a fee.  My vet's office told me not to bother with it, because they're in the registry database for life.  The annual subscription gets you access to their extra services, which I didn't feel like I needed.  I probably would have considered it had the vet not said to skip those...I was just concerned about her always being registered, and she is once the number is enrolled with Home Again.

Let us know how she's doing tomorrow! 

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

We too are registered with a Home Again for Enzo's microchip. Like Julie mentioned, our Vet said to just leave them as a registered name and contact. They are open 24/7 and phones always manned, so I saw no reason not to leave it ..of course, if we ever changed Vets or moved away from the area, records would have to be updated.
Good luck to Sweet Ragley tomorrow.....wishing you both a calm and uneventful day. Bloodwork is great to have done....it can be used for future reference should other complications or health issues come up down the road.