Confronting warning about microchips every pet owner should know
An animal rescue shelter has posted an X-ray image that shows just how far an implanted microchip can move around inside of an animal.
The K9 Paw Print Rescue warned on Facebook that the dog in the X-ray had originally been mistaken as a stray after the scan by a shelter missed the microchip because it had “drifted” in the body.
“This is an X-ray of a dog’s flexed elbow (front leg), the tiny white shape on the forearm (circled) is a microchip that had been implanted at the dog’s shoulders,” the post read.
The post warned that it’s common for microchips to move from the original insertion point.
“They drift, sometimes dramatically from where they are implanted,” the post read.
The Facebook group suggested pet owners check the placement of their pet’s microchip as often as possible.
“This is why it’s important to scan for your dog’s microchip at every vet exam,” the post warned.
The animal rescue group said that most vets and shelters would assume an animal was a stray if a microchip could not be located and scanned, as they had with the dog in the X-ray.
“This chip was missed at the shelter where he was pulled from, as it would be missed by many vets or shelters,” they wrote.
The group said that while the whole body of an animal should be scanned when trying to locate a microchip, it doesn’t always happen and sometimes chips can fail to read.
“Microchips do on rare occasion go bad and fail as well,” the post said.
“It’s our responsibility as owners to ensure the chip is functioning and situated where it’s less likely to be missed.”
The rescue group did say that despite not being 100 per cent effective, a microchip was the best way to keep your beloved family pet safe and sound.
“The benefits of having your pet microchipped far outweigh the risks but that chip is useless if it can’t be located when needed,” the post sajd.
“Also be sure it is registered with your up to date contact information,”
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