Tracking Made Easy: How Dog Tracking Chip Implants Keep Your Pet Safe

Technology is increasingly intertwining with all aspects of life, including the safety of our animals, such as dog tracking chips. In this guide, we explore the intricacies of these implants, shedding light on their functionality, benefits, and peace of mind they provide.

Understanding Dog Tracking Chip Implant

A dog tracking chip implant, commonly referred to as a microchip, is a tiny electronic device, approximately the size of a grain of rice, implanted under a dog’s skin. It’s designed to offer a permanent, unalterable means of identifying a pet. Unlike traditional collars or tags, which can break or fall off, these chips remain with the pet throughout its lifetime.

The technology behind these implants is relatively straightforward. Each chip contains a unique identification number that can be read by a scanner. When a lost pet is found and scanned, the identification number appears, and the pet can be matched to their owner through a database. It’s crucial to note that these chips do not function as GPS devices. Instead, they rely on radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology, which does not require a power source and is not capable of real-time tracking.

Peeva’s microchips, utilizing RFID technology, ensure that your pet’s identification is always accessible and secure.

The Benefits of Implantable Dog Tracker

The implantable dog tracker offers numerous benefits, making it an invaluable tool for pet safety:

Permanent Identification:

The chip remains with your pet for life, providing a permanent form of identification.

High Return Rates:

Microchipped pets have a significantly higher chance of being returned to their owners if lost, as shelters and veterinarians routinely scan for these chips.

Non-Invasive and Safe:

The implantation process is quick, relatively painless, and safe, similar to a routine vaccination.

Tamper-Proof:

Unlike collars or tags, microchips cannot be removed or damaged, ensuring the information remains intact.

Global Standardisation:

Most microchips comply with international standards, making them readable by scanners used by veterinarians and shelters worldwide.

Low Maintenance:

Once implanted, microchips require no maintenance or battery changes.

How Dog Tracker Implant Works

Understanding the working mechanism of a dog tracker implant is crucial to appreciating its value. When a scanner passes over the area where the microchip is implanted, typically the back of the neck, the chip is activated by the scanner’s radio waves. It then transmits the unique identification number back to the scanner. This number is used to retrieve the owner’s contact information from a pet recovery database.

It’s important to emphasise that these implants do not track location or provide real-time updates on a pet’s whereabouts. Instead, they serve as a form of electronic identification. If a lost pet is found and brought to a facility with a scanner, such as a veterinary office or animal shelter, the microchip can be scanned, and the unique ID number is used to find the pet owner’s contact information in the database.

For the system to work effectively, pet owners must ensure their contact information is up-to-date in the microchip’s registry. If the pet owner moves or changes phone numbers, updating this information is essential to ensure the pet can be returned if lost.

The Process of Getting a Dog Implant

Implanting a tracking chip in a dog is a straightforward and relatively painless procedure that offers lifelong benefits. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

Veterinarian Consultation:

It starts with a consultation with a veterinarian, who explains the procedure and its benefits.

Implantation Procedure:

The actual implantation is quick, akin to a routine vaccination. The chip is inserted under the dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades, using a hypodermic needle. Most dogs experience minimal discomfort, similar to a standard shot.

Post-Implantation Care:

After the chip is implanted, no special aftercare is required. The site heals quickly, and the chip remains securely in place under the skin.

Registration:

This involves providing the pet’s details along with your contact information. It’s crucial to ensure this information is accurate and updated regularly, as it’s the key to reuniting with your pet if they get lost.

Verification:

After implantation and registration, a vet might scan the chip to verify its functionality and confirm that the identification number matches the registration details.

Annual Check-ups:

During regular veterinary visits, it’s advisable to have the chip scanned to ensure it’s still functioning correctly and hasn’t migrated from its original location.

GPS Implant Chip for Dogs: Fact vs. Fiction

The concept of a GPS implant chip for dogs is surrounded by misconceptions. Currently, there are no commercially available GPS implant chips for dogs due to several technological and practical limitations. Key points to understand include:

Size and Power Limitations:

GPS devices require a power source, typically a battery, which needs to be of a certain size to be functional for a reasonable amount of time. This makes it currently impractical to create an implantable GPS device small enough to be safely and comfortably inserted under a dog’s skin.

Health Considerations:

Long-term implantation of a device with a battery presents potential health risks, including the risk of battery leakage or other malfunctions.

Real-Time Tracking Misconception:

Unlike RFID microchips, a GPS device would theoretically provide real-time location tracking. However, this technology, in an implantable form, is not yet available.

Alternative Solutions:

While implantable GPS technology isn’t available, there are external GPS devices that can be attached to a dog’s collar for real-time location tracking.

Maintenance and Safety of Dog Tracking Chip Implants

Maintaining and ensuring the safety of dog tracking chip implants is relatively simple, as they are designed to be low-maintenance and safe. However, there are a few considerations:

No Battery Replacement Needed:

RFID chips do not require a power source, so there’s no need for battery replacements or recharging.

Longevity:

The chip is designed to last the lifetime of the pet and is made from biocompatible materials that are typically well-tolerated by the dog’s body.

Safety Profile:

The risk of complications from microchip implantation is very low. Occasionally, there may be minor swelling or infection at the implant site, but these issues are usually easily resolved.

Migration of Chip:

On rare occasions, the chip may migrate from its original implantation site. Regular scanning during vet visits can ensure it’s still in place and functioning.

Update Contact Information:

The efficacy of a microchip is dependent on the owner’s contact information being up-to-date in the pet recovery database.

Choosing the Right Tracking Implant for Your Dog

Selecting the appropriate tracking implant for your dog involves a few key considerations:

Consultation with Your Veterinarian:

Your vet can provide advice on the most suitable microchip based on your dog’s breed, size, and health status.

Microchip Standards:

Ensure the microchip adheres to international standards (ISO 11784/11785) for global compatibility.

Registration in a Reputable Database:

Choose a microchip that is supported by a well-established pet recovery database, ensuring efficient retrieval of your contact information if your pet is lost.

Consider Your Lifestyle:

If you travel frequently with your pet, a universally recognized microchip is essential for easy identification anywhere in the world.

Budget and Additional Features:

While most microchips offer standard features, some may come with additional services like registration in national pet recovery databases or inclusion in pet loss alert systems.

Conclusion

Dog tracking chip implants offer a simple yet effective solution to keep your beloved pet safe and secure. By providing permanent identification, these implants significantly increase the chances of reuniting with your pet if they ever get lost. Remember, the key to effective use of a microchip lies in keeping your contact information up-to-date and regularly checking the chip’s functionality during vet visits. So, take the proactive step of microchipping your furry friend – it’s a small investment in their safety and your peace of mind. Keep your pet’s adventures worry-free with the right tracking implant!