Microchipping cats - advantages and disadvantages, features of the procedure technology and associated risks

Radio frequency identification, or RFID, is a technology that was introduced in the 1980s. It consists of implanting a microcircuit into the pet, which contains certain information. A cat chip is important because it allows them to be identified and returned to their owner.

A chip for cats allows the owner to protect themselves from their theft or substitution

What does microchipping give?

Microchipping has become widespread in other countries thanks to the regulatory framework. There are a number of international legislative acts that regulate the transport of animals between different countries. Thus, on July 3, 2004, the Regulations of the European Parliament in this area were adopted. According to the document, cats that cross the borders of EU countries must be implanted with a chip or branded. The second option was transitional until 2013. Now one method of identification is recognized as legal - RFID.

RFID kit

In Russia, this identification method will also sooner or later become the norm. First of all, it is demanded by animal rights activists. They note that this is one of the ways to minimize the number of crimes of cruelty to smaller brothers.

In some cases, microchipping is necessary. Thus, insurance companies may require a chip when taking out a policy for a cat. In addition, electronic identification is recommended at the legislative level for purebred animals taking part in exhibitions. If there is a microchip, it will be difficult to replace an elite individual with a similar one. Such risks exist at exhibitions, as well as during sales and while traveling. The information stored on the chip is irrefutable proof of ownership.

Preparation for registration

Moving across the border with a pet is not as simple as it seems at first glance. You should carefully prepare for this procedure. The whole process should be divided into six stages, which we will discuss in order in this section.

Contacting the consulate

The preparation for transporting a dog to another country should begin in advance, or rather two or three months in advance. The first step is to contact the consulate of the country you are going to visit. The pet owner will be provided with a list of requirements for the import and stay of animals in a given country. Next, you should begin consistent work on collecting the necessary documents, taking tests, vaccinations and mandatory microchipping.

Vaccination and deworming of dogs

The first thing you should do for your dog is vaccination. If an animal is vaccinated for the first time, it is divided into two stages with a break of three weeks. Ten days before the procedure, the animal must take an anthelmintic drug (a remedy for internal parasites). After the vaccination course, a quarantine period begins, which lasts about 30 days. During this period, the dog is closely monitored to prevent the spread of diseases to people and other animals.

Registration of a certificate for the departure of an animal

This document is issued a few days before the trip abroad. It should be obtained from the state veterinary station. You cannot purchase such a certificate in a private clinic, since a commercial organization does not have the legal right to issue this document. The completed certificate contains information about the date and name of the vaccinations performed and confirms the healthy condition of the animal.

Registration of an international certificate for the export of dogs

To transport a dog by train, it will be enough to purchase a special ticket for the animal based on a certificate received from a veterinary hospital. To travel by air, a previously issued certificate is exchanged for an international certificate at the airport. This exchange procedure takes place one day before departure. There is no point in receiving a certificate in advance, since it is valid for 24 hours. The full period of validity of an international document on the territory of a foreign country is 90 days.

Dog microchipping

A chip is an electronic storage medium that is used to identify an animal instead of branding it. In Russia, branding is acceptable, but in foreign countries only microchipping is recognized. The chip is very small in size. Its size can be compared to a grain of rice. If necessary, you can find out about a microchipped animal, where and when the electronic media was introduced, and contact information about the owner. This is undoubtedly a convenient option if you lose your dog. The animal will be returned to the owner as soon as possible. Experts recommend introducing electronic storage media to all animals from birth.

Requirements for transporting dogs

You should definitely find out the rules for transporting a dog on a plane or train; it depends on what method you plan to use to cross the border. For example, for transportation on a train you need to purchase a cage or carrying container. If the animal is large and weighs more than 20 kilograms, then to transport the dog you will need to buy the entire compartment. International transportation by air will require the mandatory purchase of a carrying bag, box or cage. The exception applies only to guide dogs. It is worth obtaining more accurate information from the carrier company, as rules may vary.

Benefits of RFID

Previously, other methods of identifying pets were used - for example, tattoos, tags. But they have disadvantages. Such signs lose shape or clarity with age. The collar is also unreliable because it is easy to remove.

The microchipping procedure is also gaining popularity because it is easy for a veterinarian to track a patient’s medical history and record keeping.

RFID of a cat is required when entering another state

Some devices have additional capabilities. One of the latest developments is microchips with heat sensors. When the doctor conducts a scan, not only standard information is displayed on the screen, but also the level of body temperature.

However, the use of chips has disadvantages. Not all veterinary clinics are yet equipped with devices for reading information. For this reason, the main target audience is mainly owners of cats who are exported abroad. More and more developed countries agree to allow foreigners with animals into their territory only if they have a chip. Breeders of rare breeds resort to the procedure when there is a risk of theft or substitution.

Attention! The presence of a chip does not guarantee the cat's owner automatic access to all countries of the world. Before entering the territory, you should check the national legal requirements regarding the importation of animals.

The nuances of traveling with animals on an airplane

The essence of the procedure and why it is needed

Chipping involves inserting a special microdevice (chip) under the cat’s skin, which contains a unique 15-digit code. It contains information through which the cat can be identified by finding out its date of birth, breed, individual characteristics, photos and even the presence of diseases.

After the procedure, the cat owner receives a special certificate, and information about microchipping is entered into the veterinary record. The code security guarantee is 100 years.

Previously, animals were marked using a brand (for example, as is the case with livestock). For some time, a similar procedure was used for cats, but it is inhumane and also unreliable due to the fact that the brand can always be faked.

Meanwhile, the problem of identifying animals remained, and as a result, it was decided to implant chips with information under their skin. The owner requires this for the following reasons:

• the ability to find a cat if it runs away;
• prove your rights to the animal;
• obtain the most complete information about vaccinations, diseases and other characteristics of the animal, which is important when moving to another city or country, visiting a new veterinary clinic, or losing a pet’s hospital card.

Chip device

This is a microcircuit with a code that identifies the cat. The number is unique and assigned to the animal in the global database.

Syringe with chip

The digital tagging kit consists of the following elements:

• chip;
• reading device - scanner;
• database.

A microcircuit or chip is formed from the following components:

• receiver;
• transmitter;
• a block of memory in which code is stored.

The chip dimensions are small. Thus, it produces models for small fauna representatives measuring 13 x 2 mm, which is slightly larger than the size of a grain of rice. The device is covered on top with a shell made of special glass, biocompatible with the tissues of a living organism.

Attention! A low-quality, illegal chip is ineffective. Searching for it often does not bring results.

The code is a set of numbers. Manufacturers use different combinations. For example, there is this: 000 0000 000000000. The first block of numbers is the country code, the second is the manufacturer’s code, the last, longest block is the cat’s personal code.

In addition, the following data about the cat is also entered into the database:

• h.m. year of birth;
• floor;
• belonging to the breed;
• color;
• special signs;
• nickname;
• owner's name and contact information.

Chip for cats

The chip is a pet's electronic passport. The data on it cannot be changed, since it is a Read only chip. The code is generated at the factory where the system is manufactured, which avoids duplication options.

How the microchip works

A lost cat ends up in a shelter. There, using a scanner, they read information that is “hardwired” in a capsule under the skin. The shelter worker then queries the database for the animal owner's contact information. Thanks to this, the pet will be back within its own walls.

Advantages of chipping dogs for export abroad

This procedure will not require much time. The electronic storage medium can be introduced to absolutely any dog. The recording in the transponder memory will remain for the entire life of the pet. There is no great need to carry with you a bunch of certificates and documents for the animal, since the electronic passport is always with the dog and it is impossible to lose it.

In any corner of the world, if the clinic is equipped with a scanner and a computer, the veterinarian will be able to find out from the database the animal’s medical history, number of vaccinations, and individual characteristics. The information obtained will help provide assistance taking into account the individuality of the animal.

Chip implantation

Microchipping causes almost no pain in the cat. For the procedure, a special syringe is used, in which the microcircuit is already placed. The diameter of the needle is slightly larger than usual, and no anesthesia is needed. The implantation system is disposable, the likelihood of transmission of infection from another animal is minimal. The capsule is placed between the shoulder blades. The procedure takes no longer than a regular vaccination.

The chip is implanted in the withers area

The withers are the optimal place. It was chosen because the capsule is immobile under muscle pressure, regardless of the body position the animal adopts. The animal does not feel the microcircuit; it does not interfere with its movement and normal hygiene procedures.

Before introducing the capsule, the doctor examines the animal and checks whether all vaccinations have been completed and makes sure that there is no other chip in the body. A special scanner checks the suitability of the microcircuit that will be implanted. After that:

• the puncture area is disinfected;
• fix the animal;
• The chip is inserted using a disposable applicator according to the manufacturer's instructions.

A repeat scan to check the functionality of the system is carried out after a month. During this time, the capsule becomes overgrown with skin structures and becomes fixed.

Attention! Implanting a chip with proper care of the animal does not increase the risk of tumor formation, allergies, or irritation.

Chipping location

After the procedure, the skin recovers from 5 to 7 days. During this time, the capsule is enveloped in living tissue, becoming part of the dermis. Activation of the device and registration in the database takes 5–10 days. You should ask the veterinarian who contributes to the system - he or the owner himself.

Caring for a cat after implantation of the microchip is not difficult. It is enough to make sure that she does not scratch the puncture site. Until healing, you should refrain from water procedures. Contact with water and detergents on the skin can lead to inflammation and rejection of the capsule.

Video - Chipping procedure

Contraindications

Not all cats can undergo microchip implantation. This is contraindicated in the following body conditions:

• course of treatment for any pathologies;
• rehabilitation period after illness;
• weakened immunity.

There are medical contraindications for the procedure

Also, some cats are intolerant to the material. Therefore, no veterinarian can give a 100% guarantee that the capsule will take root. If implantation is unsuccessful, inflammation, a purulent wound or a fistula forms at the puncture site. Then the capsule with its contents is rejected and leaves the body. The same consequences are expected if the puncture site is infected. But events rarely develop in this vein.

How is a cat microchipped?

global $ads_google;
//data-ad-slot=”2475549904″ $ads_google = empty($ads_google) ? false : true; ?> if ($ads_google == false) {?> $ads_google = true; ?> } ?> The chip insertion process is quick. This does not cause any pain or inconvenience to the cat. Before the procedure, the animal must be checked for diseases. If the disease is detected, then treatment is prescribed - at this time the cat cannot be microchipped , as in the period after it. The animal's immunity should not be weakened.

An injection is made using a special sterile disposable syringe with a device under the withers between the shoulder blades, implanting a microchip. This will not cause any discomfort to the pet: the device is too small and almost imperceptible.

After the chip is implanted, a sticker is added to the animal’s veterinary passport confirming the microchipping procedure.

No additional measures are required, the animal continues its normal life.

Certificate

After implantation, the veterinarian issues a certificate to the owner. The document is filled out in English and Russian.

Cat microchipping certificate

It contains the following information:

• identification code;
• nickname;
• cat breed;
• floor;
• Date of Birth;
• Owner's full name;
• name of the institution that issued the certificate;
• bar code.

Microchip code structure

The document is certified by the signature and seal of the doctor who performed the procedure. The information is entered into the clinic database and transferred to the central server. In the future, it is important to ensure that the information is updated if any data changes - for example, residential address, telephone number, etc.

Video - How the scanner works

Identification of Barsik

Animals need to be recognized somehow. How to prove that this cat is exactly this cat and not some other? Alas, “whiskers, paws and tail – these are my documents” does not work in the case of establishing property rights, crossing borders, and monitoring elite animals that participate in exhibitions and breeding.

It's the 21st century. And while spaceships roam the expanses of the Universe, high technology does not bypass our smaller brothers.

Microchipping is the most advanced way to identify an animal, providing it with a lifelong “electronic passport”

Animal-ID

All data on microchipped cats is entered into the nationwide Animal-ID database. This portal is a component of the international pet search service. It performs the following functions:

• identification of cats based on registration cards;
• collecting information about all individuals to which the RFID system was applied;
• search for owners, including at the international level;
• identification of individuals that were lost or stolen in Russia, abroad, etc.

Animal-ID.ru - a unified database of animals with a chip

Why is it better to microchip a cat?

The benefits of microchipping cats are just beginning to be appreciated in different countries. The procedure itself was introduced not so long ago, and debates around its significance are still ongoing.

Advantages of introducing a microchip into cats:

• the chances of returning a lost animal are high;
• in good veterinary clinics, a scanner quickly reads information and simplifies the procedure for accepting an animal;
• a chipped cat cannot be replaced, and a stolen animal cannot be used at exhibitions.

It is worth mentioning that scanners for reading information from a chip are not yet available everywhere. But this is good protection for seals of rare and especially valuable breeds that attend international exhibitions.

If you want to take your cat abroad, you should know that not all countries accept animals without a chip.

Questions and answers

Despite the abundance of information on this topic, pet owners have questions regarding RFID.

• Is the procedure actually pain free ? The cat does not suffer during implantation, although there are exceptions. So, she may be in pain if an inexperienced veterinarian takes on the matter. Therefore, it is better to seek help from specialists who often perform chipping.

• What difficulties may arise when implanting a chip ? It is especially difficult to microchip animals with long hair. An inexperienced veterinarian may simply puncture the skin with a needle. Therefore, the capsule, instead of getting into the dermis, ends up in the fur and is lost.
• Is it easy to get rid of the chip? If a surgeon gets down to business, it will not be difficult for him to remove the foreign body; the capsule can be easily palpated. To pull it out, just make a small cut. But they will not carry out such manipulations with a purebred cat. This leaves noticeable scars, which affects the value of the specimen. But with other individuals this does not make sense.
• Is it possible to implant a chip yourself? RFID kits are sold in online stores, or you can purchase them yourself. This is often cheaper than in a clinic. But the procedure must be carried out by a veterinarian. If an inexperienced person takes on the matter, the risk of blood poisoning increases many times over, which can cause the pet to die.
• How long does the chip last? The capsule has an unlimited validity period if the manufacturer is reliable. Under these conditions, the microcircuit will be readable throughout its life.

Cat owners have many questions about chips

• Will a chip harm a cat? If the implantation was carried out by a competent veterinarian, then there are no risks for the animal. The device itself does not emit harmful waves and is active only at the moment when the scanner reads information. But even in this case, it remains safe for the pet.
• Can the chip move? Yes, during wear the capsule sometimes moves 2–3 cm or more (migrate). But with the correct choice of the chip insertion site, the displacement is minimal. In any case, this does not affect the cat's condition. The only downside is that the scanning procedure becomes more complicated. The main factors that provoke displacement: patient agitation, which interferes with correct insertion of the chip, ignoring medical contraindications, incomplete exit of the chip from the needle barrel.
• At what age is a microcircuit implanted? Kittens are microchipped at 5-6 weeks of age. According to international law, if a chip is not installed for the first vaccination, such a vaccination may not be recognized. But the procedure can be performed at any age. This factor does not affect the body's reaction in any way.

Why is chipization needed?

Without an electronic animal passport, it is not possible to cross the border with a pet. Most civilized countries of the world keep strict records of domestic animals and wild fauna. In this way, the state can protect the population and animals from outbreaks of infection and illegal trafficking of “lesser brothers.” After all, almost every pet in Europe can provide electronic information about itself:

• Who is the owner and where is he located?
• Pedigree;
• The owner's ownership of the animal;
• Avoid substituting an animal at a competition or exhibition.

The presence of an electronic chip was adopted by the European Parliament of the EU and is regulated by CE Regulation (No. 998/2003 of 03/26/2003). Participation of animals in international exhibitions is allowed only if they have an identification number in the international database on chips from official transponder manufacturers.

Information for the dog owner

If you need to microchip your four-legged friend, you should pay attention to the transponder manufacturer. This must be an official developer with possession of the corresponding international standard ISO 11784 or 11785. Otherwise, crossing the border will be impossible. When buying a chipped puppy, it is worth checking for the presence of a digital code in a single international database. Entering a code into a Russian regional or local database does not give the right to transport an animal to the territory of a foreign state.

The data is entered into an electronic chip according to a questionnaire, which must be filled out as correctly as possible by the owner of the animal. In addition to the electronic passport, the animal still has a regular paper ID. A barcode duplicating the number from the digital medium is pasted into this document. After microchipping the pet, the owner receives an identification card confirming ownership of the animal. In addition, the owner must check whether the information is entered into the international animal-ID system and the accuracy of the entered data.

This site has a section with announcements about the search for missing animals. If necessary, filling out a missing notification is not difficult. The announcement is immediately published on the website in the “Animals Wanted” section and after 24 hours it will appear in the individual card of the registered animal. If an animal was stolen on the territory of a foreign country, it is unlikely to be kept unnoticed. Since both the veterinary clinic and the border control, a chip scan will show that the animal is wanted.

Where can cats be microchipped?

RFID is available in different cities of Russia

There are clinics in many large cities of Russia that already provide this service. Prices in the capital and in the periphery are almost the same, but in Siberia they are significantly lower.

Table 1. Cost of RFI in veterinary clinics.

What determines the price of chipping?

The procedure is simple, although not very common in the CIS. There are only a few points that affect the price:

• A veterinary clinic - everything is simple, the more expensive and well-known the clinic, the more expensive the procedure itself will cost, and there are no guarantees against fraud, although most likely the veterinarians themselves work there are qualified and relatively well-known.
• Chip – the cost of microchipping usually includes the price of the capsule itself. There are good chips from trusted manufacturers, these do not cost less than 500 rubles. But in some unscrupulous veterinary clinics there may be “gray” capsules with a non-unique number or simply defective. You should not do the procedure in a place where it is cheaper, it can harm your pet. In addition, such capsules may simply be unreadable, then all investments will be unjustified.
• Region - the closer to Europe, the more widespread this practice is, the cheaper and easier it is to perform such a procedure. Closer to Primorye, you may not be able to find a clinic where they do microchipping, and if they do, it will cost much more.
• Purchasing a chip - in most cases, chips along with applicators are sold by veterinary clinics themselves, but sometimes you have to order through the clinic. Naturally, ordering is more expensive.

The main thing is to keep this in mind so as not to harm your pet and not to find a hole in your wallet, because together these factors can increase the cost of a simple operation several times.

World Identification

In fact, chipping is not such a new thing. Electronic animal identification has been used worldwide for more than 20 years. Almost all European countries compulsorily microchip pets, combining this with the first vaccination.

Objection: this is how it is in Europe! In any clinic they can be chipped and the information can be read using a scanner. And in many cities, not to mention other populated areas, chipping is exotic. Well, it's true. But the situation is changing quickly. Every year, more and more veterinary clinics are able to microchip pets, and an increasing number of animal services (veterinary stations, clubs, shelters, etc.) are purchasing scanners for their identification.

Chipping is the future! Electronic identification will soon become a mandatory procedure for all four-legged pets, making them full members of the international community.

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