Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 18:31:57 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] owners wanted to register them in order to obtain a licence to sell them, this apparently is a regulation [/quote]

Fair enough. Just unusual for someone to buy, and then quickly sell on, tortoises at this size. If they were the breeder or a pet shop, they wouldn't need to microchip them individually yet.

The rules used to be that you didn't chip under 10cm. This has been dropped to 6cm when the smaller chips became available.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 16:15:46 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] I chipped 3 tiny tortoises yesterday average weight 160 gm so size is not an issue[/quote]

Why? (Just curious!)

[/quote]The owners wanted to register them in order to obtain a licence to sell them, this apparently is a regulation

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Gillian Mostyn — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 15:01:00 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"] I chipped 3 tiny tortoises yesterday average weight 160 gm so size is not an issue[/quote]

Why? (Just curious!)

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 14:12:49 GMT

[quote user="SER"]the thought of giving pups (especially tiny puppies, like chihuahuas) a microchip at their very first visit to the vets, fills me with dread.[/quote]Two takes on this: 1) I chipped 3 tiny tortoises yesterday average weight 160 gm so size is not an issue, 2)Surely the younger they are the more likely they are to normalise the procedure and not become vet adverse?

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 20:20:20 GMT

[quote user="Nicola M"]i always used to think it strange that tail docked puppies got docked then asked to come back a few weeks later for microchip as when they're that tiny i think/presume they would be easier to chip as will stay still![/quote]

I chip when I dock. Easy.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Nicola Cole — Thu, 08 Oct 2015 19:46:07 GMT

I also always get a nurse to hold for a puppy microchip as owners tend to let go. I think puppies often react less at a first vaccination and are a bit less wriggly than at second vac, although don't like microchipping teeny breeds this young. Young kittens, although usually relatively smaller, I find easier to microchip at a young age.

i always used to think it strange that tail docked puppies got docked then asked to come back a few weeks later for microchip as when they're that tiny i think/presume they would be easier to chip as will stay still!

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 15:39:29 GMT

I do quite a lot of litters at 6-7 weeks. Mostly working spaniels, and they really barely react. I think it is easier than at 10-12 weeks. Although I'm not sure I'd be so happy with micro breeds.

In older pups I tend to get a nurse to hold the pup "so they don't associate you with the pain" is my line to the owner. In reality it's so the puppy is actually held properly and not let go at the crucial moment.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Stephen Courtney — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 14:49:04 GMT

Doing it at a few days old is the way to go. At 8 or 10 weeks it's a nightmare - potentially. Often they don't notice but often they do and clients always let go at the wrong moment.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Rob Loxley — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 13:48:22 GMT

[quote user="SER"]I believe it is "any dog over 8 weeks old" I think that this is too young[/quote]

We do lots of small dogs for a couple of breeders at 7wks for 1st vacc and microchip and they seem fine - I do think the more you do the better you get at it. I think there may be a role for the mini-microchips in small puppies, but be aware the read distance is reduced

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Michael Woodhouse — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 23:38:31 GMT

I've chipped more than 100 puppies less than 5 days old and its the easiest possible age to do them. I don't know what all the fuss is. Take care and keep the needle point between your fingers - you can't harm anything.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Linda Filshie — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 23:30:30 GMT

[quote user="SER"]

What are peoples thoughts on the age stipulation for compulsory micro-chipping? I believe it is "any dog over 8 weeks old" I think that this is too young and the thought of giving pups (especially tiny puppies, like chihuahuas) a microchip at their very first visit to the vets, fills me with dread. Very likely to cause vet aversion for life!

perhaps 10 or 12 weeks would have been better? but then the pups have left the place they were born and are now with their second "keeper"

[/quote]

I think it's ridiculously young. A vet can provide an exemption certificate for a pup, albeit time limited, so I suppose if you were presented with a tiny puppy you could always certify that there needed to be a delay.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Sara Ramsey — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 23:24:29 GMT

perhaps 10 or 12 weeks would have been better? but then the pups have left the place they were born and are now with their second "keeper"

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Anthony Todd — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:54:48 GMT

Actually if you could get microchipping past the populace it would make going through immigration a doddle......

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Anthony Todd — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:52:47 GMT

[quote user="Neil Wheadon"]getting your hand over the skull may be tricky.[/quote]

Suppose you could make it into a sort of converted pat?

[is it my eyes, Arlo, or is the font shrinking????????????]

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Anthony Todd — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:49:10 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]I always try to insert the chip in a caudal direction[/quote]

So do you initially scruff them from the front ie the head [which, with adults I wouldn't be too keen on] or do you change your hands after inititial rear approaching scruff?

I hated doing pups too; Westies always screamed the place down and bled on the white fur. [owners very unimpressed].

Some chips fell out of the needle prior to implanting too so keep the needle pointing to the sky....

Doing cats at desexing sounds like a great ploy.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Bob Russell — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 17:26:37 GMT

I admit that a dog I implanted started to have neck pain several years after I implanted it. On CT scan the chip was close to the spinal cord. Not sure if it was placed there at implantation or (I hope) had migrated. There had been no obvious pain on implantation, confirmed by the owner, so seems possible that it was migrating.

I don't implant until they come in for their second vaccination but we will all have to get used to chipping younger!

I am more concerned about the design of the needle (and sharpness) than the length of the needle.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Wren — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 14:18:39 GMT

We need the long needles to get them implanted in the nuchal lig in horses!

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:59:21 GMT

Hi Neil,

I'm the same as Martin - I insert them in a caudal direction. I was told it also reduced the risk of the chip coming back out later on if the owner strokes the oet.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Neil Wheadon — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:31:12 GMT

Ok in reply to Martin, top tip, caudal is a good idea, but getting your hand over the skull may be tricky.

I have used all sorts and am using the Tracer Advance Slim at the moment. The needle is 2.8cm long and all it would take would be for a wriggly puppy to push hard and you end up spearing anything.

Have shorter needle lengths been tried or do they simply allow the chip to work it's way out as suggested.

Glad I'm not the only one in the confessional to hating implanting these.

Neil

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Joyce Whitehead — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:24:42 GMT

We've just bought some of the Animalcare mini chips, which they recommend are only used in small breeds due to having a smaller scan distance (as the chip is smaller). I've only used one so far in a Maltese cross, and it was certainly easier. I'm thinking I'd use them in pups expected to be less than 5kg as adults.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

KMurphy — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 13:10:07 GMT

I've been looking at the mini microchips but Avid have advised that cheaper scanners used in shelters or by dog wardens won't always read these in larger dogs. Has anyone else found this to be the case?

I'd love to move to the smaller chips but don't want to have to repeat implants in a few years because they're not reading

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 12:38:11 GMT

The updates have stopped me from highlighting and quoting so two points in answer:

1) I agree with Anthony, Animalcare chips are fine and I have no issues.

2) To reply to Stephen, I always try to insert the chip in a caudal direction so I'm less likely to spear the neck or brain!

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 10:57:58 GMT

I'm a wimp too then. I don't chip kittens at primary vaccinations, I wait until they're under GA at neutering!

Generally I normally chip puppies at second vaccination, so I can assess their response to being injected.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Stephen Courtney — Tue, 06 Oct 2015 07:42:01 GMT

I also hate chipping pups, mainly after traumatic experience with a Dachsie pup that was more like an eel nearly resulted in my nurse being chipped instead. /equally I see the need for them to be chipped as soon as possible, mainly as a deterrent to dog napping which seems to be on the rise.

I have a vivid imagination and can easily see a small pup jerking its head back and getting chipped in the brain or something....

I'm worried about the new rules for chipping pups before sale, but I think if they are done when very small and relatively immobile eg 5 days old, the whole procedure would be far safer and a lot less traumatic for the vet.

I guess I'm just a wimp,man of my colleagues don't have a problem chipping pups and kittens of any size.

RE: Microchip needles - Why aren't they shorter?

Michael Woodhouse — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 23:17:12 GMT

We use the Animalcare Identichips. Needle length is fine. I always place between my fingers so tip of needle protected, and can pinch after deploying the chip.