Phone: 979.732.9981 • Fax: 979.733.9755
ID & Microchipping
Dr. Ridlen recommends that all cats and dogs receive identification micro-chips. These chips are tiny, rice-sized devices that contain valuable identification information to help your lost pet find its way home. During an office visit, the chips are easily implanted under the skin and remain as a permanent means to identify your pet if lost. The chips are readable with a small hand-held scanner that allows the information to be retrieved rapidly and lets your pet be traced back to your home. It is an unfortunate fact of life that pets get lost. It is another unfortunate fact that many pets are not reunited with their owners. Because veterinarians and animal shelters routinely scan for microchips, your pet has a much better chance of being returned to you if the animal carries a microchip.
In addition to shelters and veterinarians, microchips are used by kennels, breeders, trainers, rescue groups, humane societies, animal control officers, farms, and stables. Because of their use in identifying lost or stolen animals, microchips are also recommended for species other than cats and dogs, including exotic pets and horses, as well as llamas, goat, sheep, pot-bellied pigs, and deer. Some countries require entering animals to have micro-ships. Some exotic animals are required to have identification microchips before they can be transported or sold. Dr. Ridlen can help you decide if microchipping is a wise idea for your large animal or exotic pet.