Frankie The Law Dog

A microchip is a tiny electronic chip encased in a glass cylinder that is about the same size as a grain of rice.  It is injected under the skin of an animal with a hypodermic needle.  The pet microchip is activated by a scanner.  When the scanner passes over the area into which the microchip has been implanted, the radio waves put out by the scanner activate the microchip.  The microchip transmits a unique identification number to the scanner and the number is displayed on a screen.

What Information Does the Dog Microchip Carry?

Most pet microchips currently in use contain only an identification number.  Your pet’s medical record is not contained on the microchip; however, some pet microchip registration databases will allow you to store medical information in the database for a quick reference.  So, for example, if your pet has special medical needs, that information can be made immediately available to the rescuing shelter.

It is important to note that pet microchips are not “tracking” devices.  They are not GPS-enabled to pinpoint where your dog is located when he is lost.

How Will a Microchip Help Me Get My Lost Dog Back?

When a lost dog is found and turned over to a shelter or a veterinary clinic, the shelter or clinic will scan the dog for a microchip.  If a microchip is located, and if the microchip regristry database has the owner’s correct and up-to-date information, the owner can quickly be found and reunited with the lost pet.

It is the pet owner’s responsibility to register the microchip with the chip’s manufacturer.  The owner’s information will be maintained in the manufacturer’s database so that the owner can be contacted in case the pet is lost.  The owner must also update the manufacturer with any changes in contact information, such as new phone numbers or addresses. 

Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that pet owners ask their veterinarian to scan the microchip as part of the pet’s yearly checkup to make sure that the microchip is still in place and working as it should.

Are Pet Microchips Required by Law?

There are no state or federal laws in the United States that require a pet to be microchipped.  In fact, at this time, there are no single national standards for pet microchips or microchip scanners.  Some other countries, however, do require or will soon require that pets be implanted with the ISO standard 134.2 kHz microchip.  If you are planning to relocate or travel to another country with your pet, you will need to do some research to learn about the destination country’s pet microchip requirements.

Microchipping your dog may save her life if she gets lost.  But because there is no uniform standard for microchips in the U.S., many microchip scanners are incompatible with some microchips.  This article discusses the two main types of microchips and whether it would be a good idea to have both microchip implants installed in your dog.

Two Main Types of Pet Microchip

Currently, dogs in the United States who have received microchip implants have one of two types based on radio frequency.  Most pets have been implanted with a microchip with a frequency of 125 kHz.  Many other countries have transitioned from using pet microchips at 125 kHz to the ISO standard microchip with a frequency of 134.2 kHz.

Many animal shelters in the U.S. still use the 125 kHz scanner.  These scanners do not detect or read any 134.2 kHz ISO microchip.  So, it might make sense to simply have one’s pet implanted with the 125 kHz chip.

However, it is predicted that the U.S. will begin moving toward the ISO standard microchip in the future.  And if you are planning on traveling to other countries such as Canada or countries in Europe, you will need to have the ISO standard 134.2 kHz pet microchip for your dog. 

Therefore, it might be a good idea to have both types of microchips implanted into your dog.  In fact, Banfield Pet Hospital, the largest general veterinary practice for pets in the world, has recommended implanting both types of microchips.  With both types of microchip implanted, the pet would be protected whichever type of scanner a shelter was using. The non-ISO standard, 125 kHz microchip and the 134.2 kHz microchip will not interfere with each other.  If your dog is scanned with a universal, or dual-read scanner, it will detect one or both microchips.  And if a scanner that reads only 125 kHz microchips is used, of course only the 125 kHz microchip will be detected.

Additional Resource:  How Do Pet Microchips Work?

Traveling Internationally With Your Dog

If you are planning on traveling to another country with your dog, it is best to do some careful homework well prior to your planned trip.  Most countries have very specific rules concerning pet immigration.  Making advance arrangements and checking out the laws of the country of destination will help avoid problems when you try to take your pet abroad.

Create a Pet Passport for Your Dog Prior to Traveling Internationally

A pet passport is a set of all identifying and health-related documents the destination country requires for pets to enter the country.  Again, different countries have different requirements concerning what is demanded.  But travelers who do not have all their pet’s documentation in order may end up having their pet placed in quarantine upon arrival in the destination country.  

For members of the general public traveling outside the United States with pets, the U.S. Department of State recommends the following:

• Contact the appropriate embassy in Washington to confirm the destination country’s entry requirements.  Some embassies will provide forms in English for your veteranarian to complete.  Note that some countries do not permit pets to enter at all and others mandate quarantine in all instances. 
• Review the list of International Animal Export Regulations compiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 
• Check the destination country’s requirements to see how close to departure any required veterinary examination, vaccinations and tests must be scheduled. 
• Arrange with your veterinarian to have the required vaccinations and certifications completed within the specified time period.

Pet Travel provides pet passport, immigration and quarantine information on more than 100 different countries and is an excellent resource for people wishing to take their dogs along when they see the world.

Additional Resources:  Visit Dog-Friendly Rotterdam in The Netherlands; Visit Dog-Friendly Gothenburg, Sweden

Give Your Dog the Gift of Safety for Christmas

Those of us who celebrate Christmas like to share the good times with all our loved ones, including our dogs.  But it is a good idea to keep in mind that some of our favorite Christmas traditions could potentially be dangerous for our pets if we are not careful.  Here are some things to keep in mind when celebrating Christmas in a household with dogs.

Christmas Ornaments

Christmas ornaments of any kind can pose a safety hazard for your dog.  Glass, plastic or beaded Christmas ornaments look beautiful hanging from the tree or decorating a table setting.  But these items could prove irresistible to your pooch.  If your dog plays with Christmas ornaments, serious injuries could result – from cuts to her paws and mouth to choking to intestinal blockage and bowel obstruction.

Therefore, it is best to make every effort to keep your dog away from Christmas ornaments and accessories entirely.  And while you are at it, keep the tinsel and the metal ornament hangers out of reach for the same reasons.

Christmas Lights

Christmas lights can give your holiday a warm glow.  But your dog will thank you for removing the temptation to chew on the electrical cords.  According to Dr. Foster, if a dog chews through the rubber coating on an electrical cord, it will receive a severe electrical shock when its teeth come into contact with the wires.  This can result in painful burns in and around the dog’s mouth, which can lead to redness, irritation and possibly infection.

In severe cases, the electrical current may travel through the dog’s body and cause damage to his lungs.  Dogs that have experienced damage to their lungs will show signs of difficulty in breathing as their lungs fill with fluid.  Left untreated, such damage can be deadly.

Christmas Tree and Other Holiday Plants

If you use a natural Christmas tree, you will need to place it in a tree stand filled with water.  And in order to keep the tree fresh and beautiful through Christmas Day, many people mix fertilizers and other solutions with the water in the tree stand.  If your pet drinks the water in the tree stand, she may end up with mouth and stomach irritation from the additives.  So consider investing in a tree stand that comes with a cover so your dog cannot drink the water.

Poinsettias are often cited as a dangerous holiday plant for pets.  It usually takes the ingestion of quite a large amount of the plant to cause a problem.  But if your dog has been nibbling at the poinsettia, look for signs of vomiting, loss of appetite and lethargy, and contact your veterinarian if they occur.

Mistletoe berries, in contrast to poinsettia, can be highly toxic to dogs even in small amounts.  The ingestion of only one or two mistletoe berries can be fatal to your dog.  If you are hanging mistletoe around the house, be sure and keep the berries away from the dog.

Feeding Your Dog Unfamiliar Foods

Although we look forward every year to our big Christmas feasts, it is best to maintain your dog’s normal diet during the holidays.  Fatty table scraps can cause intestinal discomfort at best for your dog, and cooked turkey bones present a serious choking hazard because they can splinter and stick in your dog’s throat.  Chocolate, caffeine and alcohol can also create health risks if your dog ingests them.

Consider a Dog Safety Gate

An emergency trip to the veterinarian at Christmas could spoil your family’s holiday celebration.  So consider taking the following safety precautions to keep your dog safe this Christmas.  You may find that an investment in a dog safety gate could be your best friend’s best friend this holiday.

• Separate your dog from Christmas decorations by putting up a dog safety gate.
• Encase exposed electrical wires in PVC pipe to prevent your dog from chewing on them.
• Make sure everyone in the household, including visitors, knows not to feed the dog any table scraps or other food item that might sicken the dog.

Additional Resources:  Tips for Avoiding Dangerous Dog Toys, Top Five Reasons Pets Visit the Veterinarian on Christmas Day