identichipping a tortoise??

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 11:35:00 GMT

Modern chips don't seem to migrate as much as they used to - no?

I don't know what is 'best' - I'm just reluctant to put it in the muscle, as I would be in a dog or cat! (Having said that, I happily stick them in the pectorals so I have double standards!!!!!)

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Mark Rowland — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 23:53:47 GMT

I suppose in theory there is less chance of migration. A chip in the middle of the shell may be harder to detect with the scanner ;-)

Also there is some tortoise theft around here. I want that chip a bit harder to remove or to be palpated (I have been asked to remove a chip before).

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Nicola Lawlor — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 22:52:28 GMT

I have done a small number of these as described above and I have had a couple that seemed to bleed and bleed. Warn the owner before hand and be prepared to spend 10 minutes (+) putting pressure on the site. They were both absolutely fine but did seem to take a while to stop....and I guess I kept pressure on for a while longer even after nothing coming at the skin level for fear of a haematoma forming too! It probably seemed like a lot longer the first time it happened as I was more than a little stressed by it, as it took me by surprise having microchipped a couple previously with no problem at all like this.

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 21:16:28 GMT

we have both chip sizes too, but I must admit I would be reluctant to even put the smaller chip into the muscle. It just seems such a traumatic thing - the muscle just isn't very large! Why do you avoid just going s/c?

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Mark Rowland — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 19:51:06 GMT

The mini microchips are easier to get deep Im. for larger torts the big ones go im quite easily IMO but before the minis came along I used to find that some of the normal chips would go sc. :-)

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:15:07 GMT

Mark - don't you find you just go sub cut with the chip in the left quads area?

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Julie Innes — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:13:03 GMT

Thanks Mark- was hoping you might be around!! I think it's a pretty big tortoise, so hopefully won't be too bad! Not sure when she is bringing it in, but will let you know how I get on!

Re: identichipping a tortoise??

Mark Rowland — Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:07:05 GMT

Hello,

Left hind quadriceps muscle

Scrub the site

Place chip.

Be ready for a bit of bleeding with some cotton wool

tissue glue over the hole.

If the tort is less than 10cm straight carapace length, I would use a mini microchip, otherwise your standard size should be fine.

Goodluck.