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HEALTH
ARIZONA BACKYARD DANGERS
Microchips - What to know...
When you get a puppy from Cavaliers of Fairhaven your puppy comes to you already having been microchipped. This is an included service, one we feel is as important an administration for your puppy as a vaccine. Your puppy's microchip is an AKC ReUnite Microchip with Lifetime Enrollment ( Finalized once your puppy is transferred into your name which is taken care of on your puppy pick-up day).
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EVEN THOUGH YOUR PUPPY'S MICROCHIP WILL BE ENROLLED IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO TAKE THE ADDITIONAL STEP OF CREATING YOUR PUPPY'S PERSONAL AKC REUNITE MICROCHIP ONLINE RECORD. This is something you will do at home AFTER you pick up your puppy and should be completed within the first week. This will all be discussed with you at puppy pick up, of course! The link below will help you familiarize yourself with that process and answer possible questions in the meantime.
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https://www.akcreunite.org/onlinerecordssystemfaq/
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AKC Reunite microchips can be read by universal scanners. If your pet's AKC ReUnite microchip is not being read, please contact AKC Reunite at 800-252-7894 or microchip@akcreunite.org with: Your pet's ID number and "Who" (i.e. name of veterinary practice) was unable to detect the microchip.
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If you have a puppy from us and on the rare occasion your puppy's chip is not located
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IT DOES NOT MEAN WE DID NOT MICROCHIP YOUR PUPPY!!
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We are extremely attentive and careful when inserting your puppy's microchip. Human Error can occur both on our part upon administration, but also on the part of any professional as "the reader". Below are facts regarding Microchip Migration and Microchip Failure. We do our best to ensure this is not a factor by having our vet check each and every puppy's microchip with the microchip reader when we take our litters in for their 8 week physical. Each puppy receives a "Health Report Form" from our vet with hand-written notes regarding all items checked. Even though we have always had our vet verify the chips, as of 2024 the Health Report Form now includes a checkbox for our vet to mark that she has indeed verified your puppy's microchip along with a line item for her to hand write in the ID number.
A first time single failure to locate a microchip on one of our puppies AFTER transfer was reported to us in early 2024. Due to this, the verification check box with line item write-in was added for extra assurance.
In the extremely rare event your vet is unable to verify your puppy's microchip at your puppy's 12 WEEK VET VISIT (this is your puppy's very first vet visit once under your care necessary for you to continue your puppy's required vaccination series and to develop that all important relationship with a vet). First, call the above AKC ReUnite number, then contact us immediately. We will be happy to provide you a new AKC ReUnite microchip which you can then take to your vet to insert for you. No further compensation will be provided other than the replacement microchip. It is up to you as the New Owner to be sure your puppy's microchip is verified at that very first vet visit. There will be no recourse for an unreadable microchip for any reason if reported later than the initial 12 week visit.
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What Is A Microchip and How Does It Work?
A pet microchip is a micro-sized glass cylinder about the size of a grain of rice. It is implanted (or injected) underneath the skin between your pet's shoulder blades. The procedure is quick and virtually painless, much like a pet being given a vaccine. Each microchip carries within it a unique, permanent ID number. Regardless of brand, no two pet microchip ID numbers are alike.
Microchips themselves are not powered nor do they act as a GPS locater. They are activated by a scanner which puts out radio waves, so when it is passed over the area of the microchip, it is then able to read and transmit the identification number to the scanner, and onto the scanner's display. The microchip itself has a small passive antenna that can only be activated by a microchip scanner and is activated for a mere few seconds.
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Having your pet implanted with a microchip is a good idea because it offers you the highest odds for pet recovery. It is the best level of assurance to having your lost pet returned to you, because microchip information is recordable and attainable at the national level (yes, even out of country).
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Isn't A Collar And ID Tags Enough?
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A collar with ID tags can be a good idea. It’s a quick and easy way for someone to take hold of a pet and to get in touch with you in the event your pet escapes. But collars can fall off, and just as quick and easy to intentionally remove. As much as we hate to think there are thieves out there who would rather keep a found pet for themselves than try to reunite it with its True Owner, they are out there. Tags with your pet's name, from your pet's point of view, can lend an assumed familiarity, which with an honest "finder" can help your pet feel more secure while waiting to be reunited with you. On the other hand, a person with ulterior motives can use your pet's name to befriend them with the ultimate intention being to steal your pet. A microchip provides an additional permanent, unremovable ID.
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A dog's odds of being returned to its owner is
DOUBLED when microchipped!
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What About Health Risks?
Adverse reactions to microchips are very uncommon. Some things to watch for are hair loss at the site, site swelling or infection, or very rarely, a tumor formation near the site. However, according to the AVMA "there have been only a very small number of cases in which a microchip was associated with a nearby tumor, and no causal effect has been proven."
Microchip Migration and Microchip Failure
MICROCHIP MIGRATION: The most common risk occurrence is microchip migration. This means the microchip has moved from its original location, "migrated", to another location somewhere in the body. It's important that if your vet scans for your pet's microchip and it is not found where expected between the shoulder blades (or close by) encourage your vet to explore a greater radius of area. They can migrate further down into the foreleg. Migration is harmless, but it can impede its being found by a clinic or shelter. If you become aware your pet's microchip has migrated (but still readable) this fact can be entered into your pet's microchip registry wherever it is your pet's microchip has been enrolled. Simply login to your assigned registry and enter this new detailed note. ALL CAVALIERS OF FAIRHAVEN PUPPY'S HAVE AKC REUNITE MICROCHIPS AND ARE ENROLLED UPON TRANSFER ON PICKUP DAY. TO UPDATE ANY INFO, VISIT THE AKC REUNITE RECORD SYSTEM.
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MICROCHIP FAILURE: The following is quoted directly from the AVMA website: "As with almost anything, it's not a foolproof system. Although it's very rare, microchips can fail and become undetectable by a scanner. Problems with the scanners also can occur, though they’re not common. Human error, such as improper scanning technique or incomplete scanning of an animal, can also lead to failure to detect a microchip. Also, there are animal-related factors that can make it difficult to detect a microchip, including animals that won't stay still while being scanned; the presence of long, matted hair at or near the microchip site; excessive fat deposits in the area where the chip is implanted; and a metal collar or a collar with a lot of metal on it. All of these can interfere with the scanning and detection of the microchip."
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We at Cavaliers of Fairhaven and most everyone believes that microchips are
important, safe to use, and highly beneficial to your pet and to Owner peace of mind.
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AUTHOR: Angela Schuller
Disclaimer: As a breeder who cares deeply for my dogs and puppies I act as responsibly as I can. The information provided is intended to inform and lessen any concerns regarding the use of pet microchips. Ultimately, once a puppy leaves my home relinquished to an owner's care, owners then must take on responsibility for their decisions. As always, if your pet has an urgent medical concern, please consult your veterinarian. Finally, as your trusted breeder, I am always available to offer support and answer questions.
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SOURCES:
The Importance of Microchips - AKC Website - Accessed: 05/01/2024, https://www.akcreunite.org/importance/
Microchipping FAQs - AVMA Website - Accessed: 05/01/2024,
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