Microchip Technology

The concept of using microchips for identification was developed
in the early 1970′s by Hannis Stoddard, DVM. Along with engineer
Mike Beiel, they designed a chip to be used for birds although
the first test of the chip was done on a horse ( as of 12/93,
the Gazette reported the horse was still experiencing no trouble
with the implant). The chip continued under development and
shrank in size from the original 3 inch long by 1.5 inch wide
chip to the current chip which is about 1/2 inch long and
approximately 4/32′s inch in diameter.

We spoke with Dr. Linda Amezcua with the Linda Mar Veterinary
Clinic (Pacifica, California) to find out how the chip is
implanted in a normal procedure. A computer chip is encoded with
a unique number (which the computer industry normally does with
all of its chips). The chip is attached to a coil that acts like
an antenna. The whole gizmo is encapsulated in a special type of
glass to finally look like a small, slender capsule. (The glass
is the type used in prosthetic devices for humans.) There are no
batteries — nothing to wear out or replace.

To insert the device, the veterinarian uses a tool that is
similar to a syringe and injects the device into the dog’s body
just under its skin and between the shoulder blades. It is
important that your veterinarian implants the device so it is
located in the proper location and the possibility of its
migrating throughout the dog’s body is prevented (although some
do come with antimigrating anchors). The actual insertion takes
only a few minutes and you are literally in and out of the vet’s
office in no time. What takes a bit longer is the paperwork; a
form is filled out with the device’s number, along with
information about you and your dog, (and a check, of course)
must be sent to the registry.

Now, if you need to remove the chip for some unknown reason, it
can be done. But the key here is that it cannot be done easily.
The dog needs to be anesthetized and the chip surgically
removed. Thus, while tattoos can be marked over and collars
easily removed the chip must be surgically removed which
requires time and equipment (not to mention that the removal
will leave a scar easily checked).

When a dog is found with no identification, a scanner is run
over the area where the device would normally be found. The
scanner emits a low frequency radio wave that the chip can pick
up. The chip bounces the scanner signal back and the scanner not
only picks up the returned scan but the chip’s unique number as
well. Then the number that the device sent is checked against a
national database (usually via a toll-free 24-hour phone call
available to all veterinarians, animal shelters, and
laboratories) and the caller is immediately informed as to the
owner of the animal. (Not just anyone can call. Each location
authorized to install and read the chips has a special pin type
number that allows them to identify themselves as people who
should appropriately be asking for this information. Thus, even
if someone stole a scanner, they could not gain access to the
database information without a facilities pin number.

So, if the microchip is easy to install, is long lasting and as
permanent as anything is these days, why aren’t more people
using it as a means of identification? One possible answer is
that the chips are not visible and, unless you scan a dog, you
may not know it has a chip. However, laboratories testing on
animals are supposed to scan each dog prior to its use in the
lab to see if it has a chip. If it does, the dog is not to be
used. Humane Societies and many veterinarian offices have spent
hundreds of dollars required to purchase a scanner and will
routinely scan strays to see if the owners can be found.

The other larger concern, I think, is there are no standards in
place even now among the chip makers. The standards I am
speaking of here are: location of chip, process for anchoring
the chip in place, ensuring chips and scanners are compatible,
and linking all the databases together for each of use. For
instance, Chenoa is implanted with a chip that our county uses
and has agreed to use. However, if we move out of county to an
area that has settled on a different chip, once they scanned all
they would know is that our dog has a chip but not necessarily
her number and with whom she is registered. This of course is
close to being settled as the makers of databases, chips, and
scanners agree on standards.

The issues surrounding this new technology is challenging, but
not insurmountable. As with all technology, there will be some
sort of standardization and I expect the chips to become smarter
and smaller and the costs for the chips, registry, and scanners
to come down, too. The AKC supports this technology, but
cautions that to really reap the rewards, we need to all embrace
the technology. They mean breeders, dog owners, and
veterinarians.

At the same time, new technology, as we all have learned, is not
the total answer to today’s problems. Common sense and care for
your dog will aid in never having to rely on these chips. Normal
precautions such as fences, leashes, training your dog, and so
on, do the most good to ensure you never lose your dog.