If you own a cat or dog, you should get him or her microchipped. Did you know that as many as 10 million pets go missing in the United States each year? While some are ultimately returned to their families, many pets are lost forever. With microchipping, you can greatly increase the chances of being reunited with your pet. If you live in Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Del Valle, Austin, or the surrounding areas, contact our team at Highway 71 Veterinary Hospital to schedule a consultation about pet microchipping.
Microchipping Explained: What You Need to Know
In the past, we had to rely on collars and tags to identify owners. While it is still smart to use a collar and tag for your dog, they can easily get torn off. If a veterinarian or animal shelter staff member cannot find out who the owner is, the dog, cat, or other pet may be lost forever. Fortunately, microchipping is often more reliable than a simple collar and tag.
Furthermore, collars don’t work well for some animals, such as cats. Cats can often get out of their collar. Once a pet is microchipped, however, it cannot remove the chip. It is inserted underneath the skin, usually between the shoulder blades, so your pet cannot scratch at it.
If your pet is picked up by the local authorities, a veterinarian or an animal shelter worker can scan for a microchip. The chip will emit a radio frequency. Once the vet or other pet expert finds the frequency, they can look up your contact information in a national database. From there, they can get in touch with the owner.
Microchipping is an easy and inexpensive procedure. The process to insert the chip is similar to getting a shot or a vaccine and only takes seconds. While your pet might suffer some momentary discomfort, the process is over quickly and complications are quite rare. There is a high risk that your pet will run away or get lost at some point. By microchipping your cat, dog, or other pet, you can greatly reduce the risk of losing your pet forever.
Get Your Pet Microchipped at Highway 71 Veterinary Hospital
Are you looking for a veterinarian to microchip your pet? Call our team at Highway 71 Veterinary Hospital today at (512) 303-5444 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ohlen. We serve pets and their families from Bastrop, Cedar Creek, Del Valle, Austin, and the surrounding areas.