Services
Microchipping
Pet Microchipping at Rock Island Animal Hospital in Rock Island, IL
What is Pet Microchipping?
Pet microchipping is a simple and effective method to help ensure your pet’s safety and return them to you if they become lost. A pet microchip is a small, electronic chip, roughly the size of a grain of rice, that is implanted just under the skin, typically between the shoulder blades. Each microchip contains a unique identification number registered in a national database.
How Pet Microchipping Works
When a lost pet is brought to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter, a microchip scanner detects the chip and reads the identification number. This number is then used to retrieve your contact information from the database, allowing the facility to quickly reunite you with your pet. The process of microchipping is quick and minimally invasive, usually completed in a matter of minutes during a routine veterinary visit.
Benefits of Pet Microchipping
Pet microchipping offers several advantages:
Permanent Identification
Unlike collars and tags, which can fall off or become unreadable, a microchip provides a permanent form of identification that cannot be lost.
Increases Chances of Recovery
Pets with microchips are more likely to be returned to their owners if they get lost. The microchip serves as a reliable means of identifying and locating your pet.
Non-Invasive Procedure
The microchipping process is straightforward and involves only a quick injection under the skin. Most pets experience minimal discomfort during and after the procedure.
Peace of Mind
Knowing that your pet has a permanent ID can provide peace of mind, especially if they are prone to wandering or if you are traveling with them.
When to Consider Microchipping
Microchipping can be done at any stage in your pet’s life, but it is often recommended during routine veterinary visits, such as when your pet is being spayed or neutered. If you have recently adopted a pet or if your current pet is not microchipped, consider scheduling an appointment to have this quick and effective form of identification implemented.
The Microchipping Process
At Rock Island Animal Hospital, the microchipping process involves a quick and simple injection of a small chip under your pet’s skin. This procedure is minimally invasive and generally causes little discomfort. Following implantation, we register the chip with your contact information to ensure easy identification if your pet gets lost.
After Microchipping Care
After the microchipping procedure, there is generally no special care required. Your pet may experience a brief moment of discomfort, but most pets recover quickly and return to their normal activities. It is essential to keep your contact information up to date in the microchip database to ensure you can be reached if your pet is found.