To Micro-chip Or Not To Micro-chip My Dog

shandoggy1 · 08-24-2005, 06:08 AM

I got a new ACD or red heeler pup a few weeks ago. He is a red speckled with a full mask and a very unique pup, you often see more blue ACD's. People have stopped in there cars just to ask me about him and it has made me nervous because recently around the corner from me a purebred boxer puppy was stolen right after they put him in the backyard on his run. He was then recovered a month and a half later at the MSPCA in Boston due to the fact that he was microchipped. I never leave my pup in the yard without me or alone outside period. My vet told me that they usually micro- chip at six months of age when the pup gets neutered or spayed and is under anestisia. However, they will do it while the dog is awake but because the needle is so big to insert the chip they would rather wait. I am not fixing him until he is a year old and him being so young now he is more vulnerable to be taken because he can't fend for himself. Where I live out of town people have been coming into our neighborhoods and stealing young pups to sell them for drug money and when they realize they can't get much money for a dog with no papers they are dumping them. what should I do??

621mum · 08-24-2005, 06:33 AM

Hmmmm... can you ask again or take to a shelter to be chipped? Because Luna had already been spayed when we got her, they did her micro-chip while she was awake. She wasn't too traumatized

Or, can you consider having him neutered earlier? Do you have a particular reason to wait?

Novel · 08-24-2005, 08:01 AM

I chipped 4 dogs in a row with no anesthesia. All awake, all between a year and 14 weeks. It takes a second, and although the needle is quite large, if done by someone with moderate experience should take no longer than a vaccination shot.

shandoggy1 · 08-24-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 621mum

Hmmmm... can you ask again or take to a shelter to be chipped? Because Luna had already been spayed when we got her, they did her micro-chip while she was awake. She wasn't too traumatized

Or, can you consider having him neutered earlier? Do you have a particular reason to wait?

I am waiting to neuter him to see how he turns out because I may show him. As of now he is all show quality but at 12 weeks old it is still hard to judge until they are older.

shandoggy1 · 08-24-2005, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Novel

I chipped 4 dogs in a row with no anesthesia. All awake, all between a year and 14 weeks. It takes a second, and although the needle is quite large, if done by someone with moderate experience should take no longer than a vaccination shot.

That is helpful info, thanks. did they cry while it was being done.

Kade · 08-24-2005, 08:27 AM

Winston was chipped at 14-ish weeks, the same day as his third shots, and he was much more sensitive at the vaccination site than where the chip went in. We were also going to wait, but my husband took him to the vet that day and saw a horrifying Lost Dog notice for a puppy that looked just like Winston, same age and everything.

Especially if done with other shots, it's not that big of a deal. As far as crying, the dog will get over it. It will be so worth it if he gets separated from you.

Make sure your vet uses a chip that can be read on all scanners.

Winjammin · 08-24-2005, 08:57 AM

We had two of our three chipped as soon as our vet started doing it, and without any anesthesia. Duchess will be 3 in Oct, and Avalanche 2 in Oct. Both were done within the past year. Neither of them thought twice about the needle, and Duchess is usually the one who complains about the vaccinations.

We have to wait for the vet's home office (Banfield Pet Hospital in Petsmart) to approve the chips again to get Ruby done, as there was some sort of glitch in the type of scanners everyone uses. I don't know all the details on that (it's been awhile since we were told what the exact problem was) but I'm sure someone here does.

As it is, I have to worry about Ruby every time she goes outside, so here's hoping they get the approval to microchip again.

Novel · 08-24-2005, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shandoggy1

That is helpful info, thanks. did they cry while it was being done.

The first two were done by an experienced vet, the second two were done by an assistant, and unfortunately it took him a few tries. None of the pups did much but look at me with a questioning look.
Instead of the very small needle we are all used to, it looked more like the needle used when donating blood. Although a larger gauge, still quite sharp.

Pugdawg1 · 08-24-2005, 09:42 AM

The 5 pugs here are all microchipped. If I have them as a pup, I have them chipped when they get their final round of shots. If I get them as an adult, we get in ASAP. None were done under anesthesia. When Emma was chipped a month ago, he gave a small injection to numb the site. But my previous pugs never even yiped when they were chipped. I don't think my black pug, Bentley, even blinked. Yup, its a big needle, but it's a very quick process.

***Carrie*** · 08-24-2005, 10:12 AM

Lyric got microchipped when he was very young....I think when he went in for vaccines. He was just standing there and he didn't notice a thing...not any different than the vaccine injections. But I guess the dogs can be different in how they handle stuff. It's not so much the size of a needle that hurts...it's more the substance that is being injected. When I gave shots to babies when I was in the field, we'd put the needle in and pause before injecting, just to see.... and the baby wouldn't cry at all. It wasn't until the liquid was injected that the baby felt pain. So, I'd go ahead and get your dog microchipped. You can probably get it done at the humane society for cheaper, can't you?

shandoggy1 · 08-24-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrie

Lyric got microchipped when he was very young....I think when he went in for vaccines. He was just standing there and he didn't notice a thing...not any different than the vaccine injections. But I guess the dogs can be different in how they handle stuff. It's not so much the size of a needle that hurts...it's more the substance that is being injected. When I gave shots to babies when I was in the field, we'd put the needle in and pause before injecting, just to see.... and the baby wouldn't cry at all. It wasn't until the liquid was injected that the baby felt pain. So, I'd go ahead and get your dog microchipped. You can probably get it done at the humane society for cheaper, can't you?

I know my vet charges $40.00 I am assuming the shelters maybe cheaper but I have been going to same vet for over twenty years and I would trust them more.

Dobie_dobie_doo · 08-24-2005, 02:30 PM

I had my dog chipped - and while I know most people say that their dog hardly notices it - we had a hell of a time with it. To begin with, it wasn't our regular vet - it was the "other guy" who was actually more respected & had a long standing reputation. But he seemed freaked out because my dog was a dobie, and the experience was terrible. It took him FOUR TRIES in jabbing that needle into my dog before he got it in. In the end, he had four techs holding down my dog because my dog got freaked out by being jabbed so much. My dobe ended up submissive wetting and SCREAMING because he was totally wigged out by being manhandled. It was horrible. I wouldn't do it ever again... at least not with that vet!!!!

elegy · 08-24-2005, 06:19 PM

we prefer to chip under anesthesia too but we do it awake for dogs like in your case, or older dogs, and it's no big deal most of the time. it's a big freaking needle but the dogs don't seem to be nearly as bothered by it as you'd expect.

we can also give an injection to numb the skin beforehand if the owner is really concerned about it.

in your case, if you're concerned about it (and for good reason!) i'd go ahead and do it. if the vet clinic puts you off, call the local shelter and ask if they do it, or if they know of any microchip clinics being offered soon.

rmci · 08-24-2005, 06:22 PM

It may hurt for a little bit but I'd go for it. Better to know that your dog can be returned if lost or stolen

RenegadeDoberman · 09-03-2005, 12:20 PM

I work in Petsmart grooming, it is directly connected to Banfield pet hospital. According to them and what I have seen, if the dog is used to seeing that vet, they tend not to even blink an eye. If they are new to the vet they tend to fuss a bit more. Even in the second case, the dogs usually do not have a problem at all. Most dogs are more irritated by regular vaccines than they are to being chipped.
My own dobe was done while he was being nuetered however.

08-24-2005, 06:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
shandoggy1 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 1,209 Rep Power: 97	To Micro-chip Or Not To Micro-chip My Dog I got a new ACD or red heeler pup a few weeks ago. He is a red speckled with a full mask and a very unique pup, you often see more blue ACD's. People have stopped in there cars just to ask me about him and it has made me nervous because recently around the corner from me a purebred boxer puppy was stolen right after they put him in the backyard on his run. He was then recovered a month and a half later at the MSPCA in Boston due to the fact that he was microchipped. I never leave my pup in the yard without me or alone outside period. My vet told me that they usually micro- chip at six months of age when the pup gets neutered or spayed and is under anestisia. However, they will do it while the dog is awake but because the needle is so big to insert the chip they would rather wait. I am not fixing him until he is a year old and him being so young now he is more vulnerable to be taken because he can't fend for himself. Where I live out of town people have been coming into our neighborhoods and stealing young pups to sell them for drug money and when they realize they can't get much money for a dog with no papers they are dumping them. what should I do??

08-24-2005, 06:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
621mum in the House of Chaos Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 101 Rep Power: 64	Hmmmm... can you ask again or take to a shelter to be chipped? Because Luna had already been spayed when we got her, they did her micro-chip while she was awake. She wasn't too traumatized Or, can you consider having him neutered earlier? Do you have a particular reason to wait?
	__________________

08-24-2005, 08:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
Novel Mush Face Lover Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 4,991 Blog Entries: 1 Rep Power: 220	I chipped 4 dogs in a row with no anesthesia. All awake, all between a year and 14 weeks. It takes a second, and although the needle is quite large, if done by someone with moderate experience should take no longer than a vaccination shot.
	__________________ ~~~My Blog~~~

08-24-2005, 08:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Kade 9 months old?! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 903 Rep Power: 89	Winston was chipped at 14-ish weeks, the same day as his third shots, and he was much more sensitive at the vaccination site than where the chip went in. We were also going to wait, but my husband took him to the vet that day and saw a horrifying Lost Dog notice for a puppy that looked just like Winston, same age and everything. Especially if done with other shots, it's not that big of a deal. As far as crying, the dog will get over it. It will be so worth it if he gets separated from you. Make sure your vet uses a chip that can be read on all scanners.
	__________________ "You come home, the dog throws itself at you. 'Where have you been? You've been so long. I missed you, missed you, missed you. I love you, love you, love you. What's in the bag? Something for me? Oh, let me lick your ear. Oh, let me chew your gloves. You're home!''' -- Pam Brown All About Winston

08-24-2005, 08:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Winjammin Pems and Cardis Galore!! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 426 Rep Power: 75	We had two of our three chipped as soon as our vet started doing it, and without any anesthesia. Duchess will be 3 in Oct, and Avalanche 2 in Oct. Both were done within the past year. Neither of them thought twice about the needle, and Duchess is usually the one who complains about the vaccinations. We have to wait for the vet's home office (Banfield Pet Hospital in Petsmart) to approve the chips again to get Ruby done, as there was some sort of glitch in the type of scanners everyone uses. I don't know all the details on that (it's been awhile since we were told what the exact problem was) but I'm sure someone here does. As it is, I have to worry about Ruby every time she goes outside, so here's hoping they get the approval to microchip again.
	__________________ Rus Winjammin' Corgis It's all about attitude!!!

08-24-2005, 09:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pugdawg1 Pug Mom Join Date: May 2004 Location: Elko, Nevada Posts: 2,418 Rep Power: 136	The 5 pugs here are all microchipped. If I have them as a pup, I have them chipped when they get their final round of shots. If I get them as an adult, we get in ASAP. None were done under anesthesia. When Emma was chipped a month ago, he gave a small injection to numb the site. But my previous pugs never even yiped when they were chipped. I don't think my black pug, Bentley, even blinked. Yup, its a big needle, but it's a very quick process.
	__________________ www.PugSavers.com

08-24-2005, 10:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,420 Rep Power: 286	Lyric got microchipped when he was very young....I think when he went in for vaccines. He was just standing there and he didn't notice a thing...not any different than the vaccine injections. But I guess the dogs can be different in how they handle stuff. It's not so much the size of a needle that hurts...it's more the substance that is being injected. When I gave shots to babies when I was in the field, we'd put the needle in and pause before injecting, just to see.... and the baby wouldn't cry at all. It wasn't until the liquid was injected that the baby felt pain. So, I'd go ahead and get your dog microchipped. You can probably get it done at the humane society for cheaper, can't you?
	__________________ Get more out of Global Paw. Check out these great features. Global Paw Book Club -- Art Classes -- Woof Review As a member of Global paw staff my opinions are not necessarily those of the website or the owner. Last edited by Carrie : 08-24-2005 at 10:16 AM.

08-24-2005, 02:30 PM	#12 (permalink)
Dobie_dobie_doo owned by my doberman Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 31 Rep Power: 62	I had my dog chipped - and while I know most people say that their dog hardly notices it - we had a hell of a time with it. To begin with, it wasn't our regular vet - it was the "other guy" who was actually more respected & had a long standing reputation. But he seemed freaked out because my dog was a dobie, and the experience was terrible. It took him FOUR TRIES in jabbing that needle into my dog before he got it in. In the end, he had four techs holding down my dog because my dog got freaked out by being jabbed so much. My dobe ended up submissive wetting and SCREAMING because he was totally wigged out by being manhandled. It was horrible. I wouldn't do it ever again... at least not with that vet!!!!

08-24-2005, 06:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
elegy Pit Bull Junky Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,073 Rep Power: 110	we prefer to chip under anesthesia too but we do it awake for dogs like in your case, or older dogs, and it's no big deal most of the time. it's a big freaking needle but the dogs don't seem to be nearly as bothered by it as you'd expect. we can also give an injection to numb the skin beforehand if the owner is really concerned about it. in your case, if you're concerned about it (and for good reason!) i'd go ahead and do it. if the vet clinic puts you off, call the local shelter and ask if they do it, or if they know of any microchip clinics being offered soon.
	__________________ thank you to everyone who supported me during blogathon. i was able to raise $453.60 for pit bull rescue central!

08-24-2005, 06:22 PM	#14 (permalink)
rmci aka Red Dogs Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: CA Posts: 1,221 Rep Power: 89	It may hurt for a little bit but I'd go for it. Better to know that your dog can be returned if lost or stolen

09-03-2005, 12:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
RenegadeDoberman Psycho Dog Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	I work in Petsmart grooming, it is directly connected to Banfield pet hospital. According to them and what I have seen, if the dog is used to seeing that vet, they tend not to even blink an eye. If they are new to the vet they tend to fuss a bit more. Even in the second case, the dogs usually do not have a problem at all. Most dogs are more irritated by regular vaccines than they are to being chipped. My own dobe was done while he was being nuetered however.

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