| Dogs > Family and Travel > Pet Microchip Implant Myths | |
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also see Cat Microchip
also see Microchip Identification
also see Dog Microchips
also see Pet Chip
also see Pet Chip ID
also see Canine Microchip
also see Dog Identification Tags
also see Dog Chips
A pet microchip implant is a small device, about the size of a grain of rice, which is placed under the skin between the shoulder blades. The chip is implanted using a specially designed needle and is quick with little discomfort for your pet. These computer chips contain your contact information and their own unique number which is placed in a database.
The price is generally around $25 to $40, but some veterinarians may charge less if done while having another procedure such as spay or neutering. If you need to change your contact information after it's entered into the database, there may be a small fee.
The implant is placed with a simple injection under loose skin, similar to having a vaccine.
Computer microchips can hold enormous amounts of information and are designed to produce billions of identification numbers as well as the manufactures own unique code.
There are very few shelters and veterinarians in the US and Canada today that don't have universal chip readers that read all brands of microchips.
Microchips have no battery or moving parts therefore there is nothing to wear out or replace for the lifetime of your pet. The chip receives power from the reader as it passes over and transmits the identification number. It's the owner's responsibility to update contact information for the chip in the database.
Microchips are made out of an inert bio-compatible substance which will not cause an allergic reaction or degenerate. The anti-migrating properties of the chip prevent it from moving into tissues or organs.