Permanent Identification in Pets

Answer

Permanent Identification in Pets

Two of the most prominent permanent identification methods are for pets are microchipping and tattooing. Many people have been re-united with their pets because of the identification methods that they were not afraid to use. For many people though, microchipping especially is thought of as a painful procedure whose risks outweigh the benefits. This, however, is baseless propaganda. The pain for the pet during microchipping is negligible, and these chips do not degenerate inside the pet. In the final consideration, the permanent identification methods help to improve pet safety because in case the pets get lost or in the event of calamities, it can be possible to reunite the pets with their families.

The microchipping of pets follows a certain formal and safety procedure. Before the microchip implant procedure is begun, the pet has to be scanned for prior microchipping. The new chip is then scanned to confirm the serial number which is the number used for identification (Goetz, 2018). The shoulder blades at the back are then located. These are the scapulae bones. Next, the midpoint between the blades is determined, and a gentle massage towards the spine leads one to a strap of muscle between the blades. The muscle, called the trapezius muscle, is used for location. The next step is to draw a line from one blade to the next, in which case the injection site would fall below the drawn line. The needle, pointing in the direction of the pet’s head, is aimed forward and down. Moments later, the procedure is over.

As mention in the pre-chipping procedure, there arises a need to scan the animal before the microchip is placed. This is done to make sure that there is no other microchip present in the pet at the moment of microchipping. Finding a chip already would mean that the pet is a lost one and the priority would be to reunite it with the owner. Alternatively, scanning can also be conducted to establish whether the microchip previously implanted still functions and has not markedly moved from the spot in which it got implanted (Maharaj et al. 2018).

Proper restraint ought to be observed during the microchipping procedure. The animal may feel stressed and anxious and thus can pose danger both to the person chipping it or the handlers themselves. Restraint can either be done through general anaesthesia or physically (Maharaj et al. 2018) . Microchipping is not quite painful and so physical restraint is preferred. This should be possibly done by at least two people with whom the dog or cat is familiar. They hold the pet in place until the microchipping procedure is done.

Ensuring that the microchip is placed correctly has to be a priority for safe microchipping. To ensure that this is the case, the pet has to be placed either lying on its stomach or on its feet. The purpose is to have some loose skin on the back that is to be pulled up before a needle is quickly inserted into the identified spot. Once this happens, the microchip is injected into the tissue through the quick squeeze of an applicator trigger (Reay, 2016). The correct placement of the chip also entails ensuring that the correct spot between the shoulder blades is identified to prevent uncontrolled movement of the chip in the pet.

The other method of permanent identification in pets is through tattooing. In pets, the process of tattooing is a painless procedure that often, does not need the use of general anaesthetic. It begins by identifying the point to be tattooed. For most cats and dogs, this is either the right ear or the inside of the thighs. The next step is then to apply a layer of some jelly and begin to tattoo a series of numbers or letters. It is vital to note that this procedure is painless and there is no bleeding at all as the tattoos are not as deep as human ones.

As discussed above, permanent identification in pets is meant to ensure that the safety of the animals is guaranteed, especially when they go missing. This can be done safely and cheaply through microchipping or tattooing. Ultimately, these methods guarantee that the pets will always be found when they get lost. It is therefore a safe way of animal protection.