If
you just got a cat, you may need to take him or her into a
veterinarian for spaying/neutering and vaccinations. During these
early appointments, you should also microchip your cat so you can
find him or her more easily if he or she gets lost or runs away. If
you adopted your cat from a shelter or breeder, he or she may already
have a microchip. Your vet can use x-rays or scanners to check for
previous microchips.
Read
on to learn a little bit more about microchipping.
How
Do Cat Microchips Work?
Microchips
use radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. If your cat is
returned to a vet or shelter, that organization can scan the
microchip to get an ID number to get in touch with you.
Your
privacy is protected with microchipping; microchips do not expose
your home address or phone number like collar ID tags. Instead, the
microchip is registered to a manufacturer's database so that the
company or vet can contact you if your cat is found.
Why
Is Microchipping So Beneficial?
Microchips
can last your pet a lifetime since they are made of biocompatible
materials, and the average cost for a microchip is only
about $45
. This
investment is quite valuable when you realize that only 2%
of
cats without microchips are reunited with their families. However, if
your cat has a microchip, that percentage jumps to about 38%!
While
you may think that a collar with tags will suffice if your cat gets
lost, keep in mind that tags can fall off. Also, a lot of vets
recommend breakaway collars that unsnap with a lot of force. If your
cat is choking, being dragged by another animal, or stuck somewhere
outside, a breakaway collar could save its life. If your cat's collar
comes off, you can rest assured that your cat could still be located
with a microchip.
Additionally,
a large percentage of the cat population in the U.S. is obese, and
about half of all cats in their middle to older years are not in
their ideal weight range. A lot of owners let their cats outside now
and then so they can roam and get adequate exercise to avoid problems
linked to obesity. So if your cat is microchipped, you will have
better peace of mind if you let your cat out in the yard to exercise.
Even
if your cat is not an outdoor cat, a microchip can be a lifesaver if
your cat escapes outside. Cats like to stalk and mark territory, so
it can be tempting for even well-trained cats to slip out a door and
explore.
What
Does the Microchipping Procedure Entail?
Your
cat does not need to be put under anesthesia to be microchipped.
Microchipping is similar to a blood draw or a vaccination. Your vet
will implant the microchip underneath the skin with a syringe
—usually in loose skin between your cat's shoulder blades.
The
microchip is only about the size of a grain of rice, so your cat will
only feel a small pinch when the microchip goes in.
If
your cat is incredibly anxious or sensitive, then your vet may
recommend that he or she be microchipped while already under
anesthesia for another procedure, like spaying/neutering.
Your
cat needs no healing period after the microchip is in place. Your cat
may be a tad sore in the injection site, but he or she can go home
and resume its usual schedule. The microchip will start working
immediately after insertion.
Do
Any Side Effects Exist?
Microchipping
is very safe and considered to be a low-risk procedure. However, you
should educate yourself on possible side effects.
For
example, some cats do lose some hair after the microchip injection.
The site may also have temporary swelling. Some cats develop an
infection at the site, but your vet can prescribe medications like
antibiotics to eliminate the issue. If the microchip just is not
compatible, it can be safely removed by your vet.
Microchips
can sometimes migrate to other areas under the skin after insertion,
so have your vet check the microchip's location at regular visits. If
the microchip has moved, your vet may opt to insert a new microchip
near the shoulder blades so that if your cat gets lost, he or she can
be found more easily since that is usually the spot where microchips
are scanned.
Microchipping
has been linked to tumors in small portions of the animal population.
However, studies involving cancer-causing tumors have mainly been
found in mice
;
causation between microchips and cancerous tumors has not been found
in cats and dogs.
Because
the side effects of microchipping are rare and minimal, the pros
often outweigh the cons. Contact us at South
Seattle Veterinary Hospital
for
more information on microchipping or emergency medical services for
your cat. We look forward to seeing you and your feline family
member.
