any Microchip info

[greekblue]

I want to microchip my puppy as soon as I get her next week -- she will be 7 weeks old. I want to know if she has to be older to be microchipped, or any age for that is good. Can she be affected in any negative way if I microchipped her so young? Should I wait until she gets a little older? How that works for very young puppies?

Also, can someone explain me the AVID, 24watch (something), home again, etc.? What exactly are they and how do they work? Which one is the best, and how do you go about asking for that specific program? Money is a concern to me, but it is not a concern when it comes to my dog's safety, so I do not mind paying more money for the better program. Which one do you think is the best and why do you have that opinion?
Thank you all!

[k9hullio_sam]

I don't really know that much about the different companies, but I think my vet just did it with the shots she got. I can't remember if he did it with the first or second set of shots?? I am not sure how it would work if you wanted it don't sooner that that. Sorry I'm not much help! Good luck deciding!

[Flutterby]

It should be fine, breeders have chipped puppies much younger. WOW, she will only be 7 weeks old? Is there a reason the breeder is not keeping the puppies together until at *least* 8 weeks?

As far as microchip brands, I *highly* recommend Home Again. It is read by more brands and types of scanners than any other chip, and has very few reports of the chip migrating inside the animal (like other brands) or animals have a reaction to the chip (we've had to surgically remove a number of AVID chips that caused bad reactions). Why this is so, I have no idea, but that's what I've seen from my own experiences with my own pets and hundreds of chipped pets in the clinic, and hearing from other pet owners with chipped pets.

Lanie
And The Zoo
Royal Star Estates
freewebs.com/royalstarestates

[greekblue]

Thanks Flutterby. How do I get Home again? Do I ask my vet specifically for that type of microchip?

My puppy was born in Russia, and she would be coming from there.

I only very recently found out that a puppy should be eight weeks old; I had always thought seven weeks is fine.

I asked her if my puppy can come the week of August 20 because that week I am off work completely and I also do not start college until another week. I thought that would be better time for the puppy because she can adjust more smoothly with me there all the time (I will crate train her, so I would only be leaving short intervals the room, so I can see how she is doing). I go back to school and work the week after, but I have changed my whole schedule around, so I will not be gone from home more than 4hours max (including traffic time), and for a couple hours I have a trusted person to go and check on her -- just to make sure she is ok. I had thought, however, that it is better if her first week here with me, it is the week that I will be off of every responsibility, and the breeder agreed.

I do not know if there they have different rules about how old a puppy should be before it goes to the owner, but I think another person who is getting a puppy from her will get it the week after I get mine -- I think (I have to ask). So I think it is because I asked for her to come at that time.

[Flutterby]

Yes, ask your Vet if he carries Home Again microchips. If not, find someone that does. Many vets and shelters and rescue groups and breeders have Home Again chips, so I'm sure you can find someone that will chip her for you pretty easily.

Lanie
And The Zoo
Royal Star Estates
freewebs.com/royalstarestates