Chihuahua Microchipping
Have you thought about microchipping your Chihuahua? Each year, over a million dogs are either lost or run away from home. While many of these are picked up by pounds or animal shelters, only about 10 to 15% of the dogs found are ever reunited with their owners. A microchip allows shelters, veterinarians and other animal professionals to identify your Chihuahua and determine who their owner is. However, unless you're familiar with the procedure, you probably have more questions than answers. Here we'll take a look at the advantages and possible risks associated with the Chihuahua microchipping procedure.
Why Would I Want My Chihuahua Microchipped?
When your Chihuahua is microchipped, they'll have a unique identifier located under their skin which allows shelters and pounds to determine who their owner is in the event they are picked up. Along with the owners name, address and phone number, the microchip will also contain prudent information such as the name of the Chihuahua and any medical conditions the shelter should be aware of.
How Are Chihuahuas Microchipped?
There are few different methods used to microchip Chihuahuas, but typically the procedure involves implanting a small microchip (about the size of a grain of rice) directly underneath the skin the Chihuahua. Some owners are fearful that it will be a painful procedure for their Chihuahua, but it's actually no more painful than a typical vaccination. In fact, most Chihuahua don't even flinch when the microchip is being implanted.
What are The Dangers Associated With Microchipping?
The most common concern among owners is the pain associated during the actual implanting. As stated earlier, though, it's a simple and non-evasive produce that's no more painful than a simple booster shot.
Some owners are concerned about the possible long-term affects of the procedure. Studies have shown that lab rats with micochips implanted underneath their skin developed tumors near the area. Although, it's important to note there's no evidence directly relating the procedure to a greater risk of tumors in dogs.
In rare cases, the microchip will slowly begin to migrate to other areas of the body. If this happens, the shelter or pound may have difficulty finding the chip and identifying it.
Now that you know a little bit about the microchip implanting process, lets review what the benefits are:
- Records your contact information including address, phone number and emergency contact number
- Records any unique medical conditions your dog has
- Records current medications which they're taking
- Records their vaccination history
- Unlike collar tags, a microchip cant be lost
- Doesn't require batteries
How Much Does Microchipping Cost?
If you didn't know otherwise, you would probably assume that having a microchip implanted into your Chihuahua would cost an arm and leg. On the contrary, though, it usually only costs around $25 to $50 for each animal you want microchipped. While you're getting your Chihuahua chipped, I recommend going ahead and getting any other family pets you have done as well.
Should I Microchip My Chihuahua?
For the small price it costs to have your Chihuahua and other family pets microchipped, I'd say it's well worth the cost to have peace of mind a night. While no owner wants to think about their Chihuahua running away, it does happen, and more frequently than you may think. Instead of being forced to staple "Lost Chihuahua" signs on telephone poles and stop signs, you can trust that whoever finds your Chihuahua will scan their microchip and find out they belong to you.
Video of "Scrappy" Getting a Microchip Implant
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