Chipping cats: what is it and what is it for?

In the age of urbanization, people do not have much opportunity and time to go outdoors and communicate with animals. Therefore, the maintenance of pets (cats, dogs, hamsters) for a modern person is increasingly becoming the only affordable alternative to life in the countryside. Safety considerations and the owner’s convenience require each animal to be chipped.

The electronic identification of animals is called chipping. This procedure is a implantation of a small electronic circuit with personal data under the skin of a cat. The information on it is presented in the form of a code that is unique and consists of 15 digits. The decoding of this designation, including information about the owner and his animal, is entered in a special electronic database.

In the database, in addition to the animal belonging to a specific owner, indicate:

• breed;
• gender;
• nickname;
• date of birth;
• color;
• personal distinguishing features;
• past illnesses;
• vaccinations;
• photo of the pet.

The structure of the code is by no means random, but strictly verified. The first three digits constitute the state designation. From the three-digit designation of the manufacturer they are always separated by zero. And only after that come eight numbers inextricably. They denote just this particular animal, allowing it to be accurately identified.

After completing the procedure, the owner has a passport in his hands with all the data, the date of the operation, the name of the veterinary clinic, the signature and seal of the doctor. Also, all information is entered into the international electronic accounting system in the form of an animal passport. But here you need to understand that not all countries have such advanced technologies. For example, in Russia, the introduction of such identification is at the initial stage of development and is carried out mainly by metropolitan clinics. As for foreign countries, there are two main databases: the European Union and the United States.

Chipping an animal looks like a small shot. It runs fast enough. This procedure is considered completely safe and painless; it does not cause much inconvenience to the animal. To do this, use a syringe-like applicator with a needle through which a capsule with a microcircuit is inserted.

Before injection, the shell of the chip is disinfected to eliminate negative health effects.

It is also worth noting that during this procedure, only disposable syringes are usedthat does not allow the transfer of diseases between animals. In addition, before the introduction of the chip, each pet is checked for the presence of various kinds of diseases. When they are detected and during treatment, chipping is not done. A contraindication is a weakened immunity of a cat.

The kit for the procedure includes a plastic card, similar to the one issued by banks. Chipping is performed without anesthesia. It is no more painful than vaccination. In any serious veterinary clinic, it is performed without any problems. There is not even a need to pre-apply.

Since the chip is small, it does not cause discomfort to the pet. Its length can be compared with two rice grains. This device is the best option - a cat or cat will not lose it. Usually an injection is made at the withers, because there the chip will not move arbitrarily under the skin.

There is a common myth that a lost cat can be found by determining the location of the chip by GPS. However, the principle of operation of this device is completely different from that of a mobile phone, and therefore remote search is not possible. The chip is activated only in one case - when in the immediate vicinity of it is a scanning device. The rest of the time it does not transmit any signals and therefore cannot be tracked.

However, there are several other situations in which you can’t do without chipping:

• registration in a veterinary hospital;
• identification of the owner of the found animal;
• controversial situation (it is not clear which of the apparently similar animals belongs to whom);
• thoroughbred pet insurance;
• travel abroad.

It is worth considering such moments:

• in the CIS countries, a very small number of veterinary hospitals are equipped with equipment for reading information from the chip;
• low-quality and fake chips are found;
• with the advent of this device, entry into the territory of some countries with animals without chips is prohibited.

Eliminating possible problems for yourself and your pet is quite easy. To do this, before starting the procedure, you must ask the doctor for quality certificates for the products. Also check the compliance of the chip with international standards. Being interested in this moment is important not only for confidence in the quality of electronics. Inattention to it can turn into problems when traveling abroad.

There are other precautions that minimize the risks when chipping a cat or cat. It is undesirable to call veterinarians for house-chipping. Often such a specialist is not competent enough.In addition, the provision of this service at home can lead to a lack of chip data in the necessary accounting databases. It can also result in infection of a pet. In this case, his health will be in jeopardy, and treatment will cost much more than the money initially saved.

It is also worth remembering about receiving all documentary evidence for the provided service:

• certificate;
• a plastic card;
• stickers in the pedigree;
• stickers in the passport.

Modern electronics:

• will help to exclude theft of the animal;
• prevents substitution at exhibitions and other events of this kind;
• serves long enough;
• Differs in big reliability.

Veterinarians consider chipping a harmless procedure. If the procedure is performed correctly, then:

• there is no risk of infection (when performing the procedure in the clinic);
• low probability of infection;
• there is no risk of a device shift in the body;
• the age of the animal does not matter.

It should be noted that the location of the injection point at the withers is not accidental. This prevents the cat from reaching the injection site on its own. Therefore, she will not be able to infect him when combing. The latest chip modifications are equipped with a thermal sensor, information from which is also displayed in the computer when reading. This function allows the doctor not to waste time on an additional temperature measurement.

Before you go on a trip with your pet, you must know in advance the rules for its transportation across the border. And it’s already impossible to limit itself to vaccination of the same cat. The veterinary rules of the main states, in addition to the vaccination list, also mention the availability of chips. And not just chips, but those that meet certain requirements. You can’t enter the EU with a cat without a chip, meeting the standard ISO-11784.

You also need to pay special attention to the consistency of information in the chip and in the passport of the animal. If the data is at least slightly different, the error must be corrected before departure. It is worth making a request to the international database for the registration of animals. There are two main databases of this kind - Petmaxx and EuroPetNet. When all the conditions described above are met, crossing the border will not cause any obstacles.

On whether chiping is necessary, see further.