Most pet owners want to do what they can to protect their pets. They make sure they have their shots, take them to the vet for checkups when they are sick, But not everyone fully understands why pet microchips in Burbank are important, or even what they are or how they work.
At Rainbow Vet Hospital, not only do we provide pet microchips in Burbank, but we can also help you understand what they are and how to make the most of them. Here are some answers to some common questions about microchips that will help you use them effectively to keep your pet as safe as possible.
What is a Microchip?
A pet’s microchip is a small computer chip the size of a grain or rice, which is inserted under the skin using a hypodermic needle. It is used with a computer registration program to assure that lost pets are able to be returned to their rightful owners.
How does a Microchip Help My Pet?
Each chip has an identification number which can be found using a special scanner available at shelters and vet offices. If an animal is brought to a shelter or a veterinarian, their fur is scanned and checked against pets registered in the system, and when a match is found, the owners are notified and reunited with their pet.
How Do I Know My Pet’s Microchip Will Work?
There have been instances when a pet has been lost and micro-chipped, but still, has had trouble being reunited with their owner. This happens for a couple different reasons. There are several different chips being marketed to pet owners, but the International Standard is the ISO Conformant Full Duplex. When an alternative microchip is used, there is a greater chance that it won’t be recognized. Veterinary organizations and animal advocate groups are calling for pet owners to use a universal system because not all shelters are able to properly read all four types of scanners.
How Can I make Sure My Pet’s Microchip Will Work When or if it is needed?
Choose a popular microchip such as the ResQ ISO Chip made by the Bayer company, carried by Rainbow Vet Hospital in Burbank to increase the chance that the chip will be found when scanned. It is also important to keep your pet’s chip registration up to date. Backing up your pet’s chip with old-school methods, such as ID collars will help make sure you are contacted if your pet is lost.
Why Not Stick With an ID tag?
While having an ID tag is a great backup, and can be good if your pet is friendly and is found close to home. There may be circumstances where tags become scraped and hard to read, or your pet may wriggle out of his collar, and you will need that microchip.
Call us Today to Schedule an Appointment!
If your pet does not have a microchip, or if you are not positive that it is properly registered, we at Rainbow Pet Hospital can help make sure you have what you need and that you chip is properly registered. Contact us at 818-846-1166 to schedule an appointment today.
