Microchip Discussion

[Wylie's Mom]

This reason, and others, is PRECISELY why I firmly believe in microchipping AND safe collaring w/ ID tags.

Collars CAN be safe - you can never "over-id" your baby, and here's a perfect story to prove it. Thankfully, with a HAPPY ending!!!!!!!!!!!

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I think all vets should scan every new patient that walks through their doors, regardless of it being a brand new puppy, a stray someone found, or an 11 year old dog that just moved to town. It would just be a good routine thing to do. Even if it's a new puppy, it could have a chip that the breeder implanted that the buyer didn't know about (not sure why the breeder wouldn't tell them but it could happen). but that way, if a chip is found and is registered in someone else's name, that person could be contacted to make sure the dog isn't stolen.

I totally agree.

[tiggerr36792]

I think that Vet dropped the ball on that one. She should have been checked!!! I'm shocked that even after saying he found her they still didn't bother to check for micro-chipping. It should be a law in all states!!

[yorkiegirl2]

Originally Posted by Winstin07

It is very sad that the vet did not check her. That vet needs to be called and made aware of the chip and asked why she was not checked. We just had our lab chipped because since she is 8 we were nervous that she may sneak off, if her sight starts to go or something.

Yes, I agree this Vet needs to be contacted and asked why he didn't bother to scan Maddie.
Or course with all the different chips out, I don't think it would have made a difference if they didn't have the right type scanner to scan her with.
They need to make one type of chip/scanner or at least a universal type that will pick up all chips types.
And the Vets should be required to scan each new patient to insure the dog has not been stolen.

[RMKC]

I totaly agree Connie, i'd be at the very least making a Phonecall or Visit to this Vet

[Yorkies-Mom]

I think all vets should scan every new patient that walks through their doors, regardless of it being a brand new puppy, a stray someone found, or an 11 year old dog that just moved to town.

ITA! i wonder if he just didn't bother to do the scan or did not have the equipment to???

[girlybella]

Scanning all animals that walk through the door when they are new to their facility should be MANDATORY! The whole reasoning behind having our babies microchipped is so that we can make sure they are returned to us if for some reason they get lost or stolen. I would definitely make a visit to the vet that saw Maddie and find out why they did not perform a scan on her.

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by Connie

This concerns me. Denise had Maddie microchipped after the last time she got away. It gave her a sense of security knowing that if Maddie ever got lost again, that she would get her back more easily. Two weeks ago, this dear man that was taking care of Maddie, decided to take her to the vet, since he didn't think it likely he'd ever find Maddie's owners. When he took her in, he told them he had found her and they didn't even scan the dog! If this man had known about microchips, he would have asked them to do it, but he'd never even heard of them.

Good grief! I can see them not scanning a dog if that dog has been a regular patient, but this man brought in an adult yorkie he had found, and they still didn't scan her. Had they done that, Denise would have gotten Maddie back 2 weeks ago!

Is there any way to get awareness out to vets to check dogs for microchips? Why have them microchipped if vets aren't going to scan them for info? I know they are good in a legal battle, to prove ownership, but I just thought they were so much more. What do you all think? I wish it could become mandatory that vets scan dogs...especially when told it's a found dog.

Would it be possible that the vet did not have the necessary tools to scan a microchip? That might be the case on this one . . . of course if all vets were educated enough about microchipping, then at least he could have encouraged or suggested to the "new" owner to have it checked.

[Sunnie]

Originally Posted by Gypsy & Me

There is an organisation set up over here by a TV presenter and his daughter after her two Yorkies were stolen and luckily returned to her due to the media coverage. They are trying to bring in that all vets scan pets that are bought into clinics for the first time. It's not a very well known organisation yet but it's getting there. Me and Mum met Debbie, (the owner of the Yorkies) at Crufts this year where she held a stand to bring awareness to the organisation.

They have an online petition and letters you can print off and send to your local vets, etc.

http://www.vetsgetscanning.co.uk/

Personally, I think this is a good place to start. Media coverage and pet owners speaking up is what is going to get the attention of the vets so they scan pets as a habit and not just occassionally.
Singling out one vet isn't going to help. Education to ALL vets will.
Sonya

[Lexi Rae]

amen to that

[daisy mae06]

[quote=ARCHIE;1394476]Either the vet did not have the equipment or he was negligent.
This stolen Yorkie had a happy ending but how many stolen pets
go undetected because of the vet's not scanning. Even after being
told the Yorkie was found! Scary. I personally think that the return
rate on scanning is not that high.

quote]
I Agree Archie . Vets need to SCAN all dogs every time IMO It only takes a second just like they take a tempature!

[Erin]

Maybe the vets don't want to upset a new customer, but they can scan discreetly. My vet always takes new dogs in back to take their picture for the file and I'm sure they scan them when they are back there. On our first visit with Sammy, who was a re-home, we had her microchipped. They scanned her before chipping her to make sure she didn't already have a chip.

[mustangbee]

Every Vet should scan, if they don't have the equipment, they should get it.
Last time I had Princess at our Vet, they had a new girl there who didn't know Princess. She scanned her, and I thought it was great. They guy who always takes Princess back came out laughing because she scanned her. He said everybody knows Princess. This my be true, but she didn't, and she was told all unknown furbabies go to the back to be scanned.

With the amount they charge for their service, this is a service every Vet Office should have. Shelters depend on donations to keep them running, and they all have scanners. Why not every Vet too?

[Janie616]

Originally Posted by ARCHIE

Either the vet did not have the equipment or he was negligent.
This stolen Yorkie had a happy ending but how many stolen pets
go undetected because of the vet's not scanning. Even after being
told the Yorkie was found! Scary. I personally think that the return
rate on scanning is not that high.

Bud is not chipped. I choose not to put him through it.

There is nothing to it. It is so small and the pup does not really feel anything.
So you are not really "putting him through it".

It is so precautionary and seemingly necessary in these times.
You are doing what seems to be an injustice to yourself and your baby. (IMO)

It is not expensive ... perhaps less than $50.00 .... Just my opinion ....

[Bailey's Peeps]

We have never microchipped Bailey or Meggie. I think it's a great idea, but learned something when we were looking into having Bailey microchipped. I talked to clinic employees at three different vets in town (all very well respected), and discovered that none of the clinics routinely check for microchips. None of them check unless someone brings in an animal and specifically asks that they be checked. When I checked with three clinics and got the same response from all of them, I decided it probably wasn't worth the investment to have them microchipped. I'd love to have reason to feel differently about it, but haven't found that reason yet.