Microchipping


Microchipping Your Appleton Pet

Microchips are no fad. Studies have shown that just 22% of un-microchipped dogs that entered shelters were reunited with their homes. Yet, a whopping 52% of dogs implanted with microchips found their way back into their owner's arms. So if you haven't yet talked to your vet about microchipping your precious pet, then now is the time. At North Heights Veterinary Clinic in Appleton, we provide pet microchipping along with many other forms of veterinary care.

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What Are Microchips?

Microchips are tiny, rice-sized devices that a vet inserts underneath your pet's skin. Each microchip has a unique identification number that the vet will link to your contact information via the manufacture's database. If your pet ever gets lost and it is taken to a shelter or another vet, one of their staff will use a special scanner to check for the microchip. In doing so, you can be reunited with your pet even if they lost their physical collar or they are counties, even states away from you.

What Are the Side Effects of Microchipping?

All domestic pets are good candidates for microchips as they are so small, the benefits so big, and the vast majority of pets will experience no side effects from the implantation process. Those that do, the side effects are often minimal and may include temporary bleeding, temporary hair loss, abscess, infection, or the migration of the microchip to a place other than the insertion spot. If you are concerned about the side effects, your Appleton vet can talk to you more at length during your visit.

Do Microchips Have GPS?

No, unfortunately, today's microchips are not equipped with GPS. This is a common mistake we have to correct but while today's microchips don't have it, there are promising products in testing. For those pet owners who have dogs who frequently escape or outdoor/indoor cats that they are worried about, there are some outstanding GPS-equipped collars currently on the market you might want to look in to.

Will a Microchip Guarantee My Pet Gets Returned?

The microchip itself is a solid piece of equipment and there are very few incidences of it failing. In fact, the most common errors that can hinder a microchipped pet from being returned to its owners are all human ones. The microchip is linked with the owner's contact info that they give upon insertion, but so many times owners move or in cases in which a dog was microchipped and then adopted out, the new owner never changes the contact information. This means that even if a lost dog is found and the microchip correctly scanned, the vet may still have no way to contact the owner. Always update your microchip information when moving or changing your phone number to prevent this.

Schedule a Microchip Appointment Today

If you’re a pet owner in the Appleton area and you’re concerned about your furry friend getting lost, call the North Heights Veterinary Clinic. You can rest at ease knowing that your pet will find it’s way back home safe and sound.

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