As pet keepers, we develop a special connection with our pets. As we keep spending more and more time with doggos, the greatest fear turns into losing them. Losing a dog due to an illness is one thing, but to get them stolen and keep waiting for them to return one day is another kind of pain. A microchip is usually installed below the skin for the safe return of the dog. It carries a unique code that can help you reunite with it. However, if you buy a pre-owned dog, removing the previous microchip data could be a struggle. How to scramble a Dog’s microchip?
What is a microchip?
A microchip is basically an identification device that is inserted below the dog’s skin using a hypodermic needle. This is used for identification if your dog goes missing. A vet is the one who’ll be chipping your doggo, and if it’s a puppy he must be seven weeks. The size of a microchip equals that of a rice grain.
How will someone contact the owner, if the dog goes missing? A scanner is able to detect the information on the chip. The dog’s entire body is scanned using a probe and the chip is detected, it is then decoded and the name, address, and contact number of the owner can be traced. It might be a surprise but only special authorities can get the owner’s details and return the missing pet. This includes vets and animal shelters.
The best part about microchipping is that even if your dog’s collar falls off, the chip is inserted under his skin and stays intact. It is important to register with the company that manufactured the microchip so that in case of the missing dog, you can be reached.
Benefits of Microchipping
Microchipping for dogs has now been going on for decades. Have you ever wondered what the benefits that come with it?
Painless procedure
A microchip is inserted through a needle. The procedure is painless, and within seconds your dog is safer than ever. It’s very identical to your dog receiving a vaccination.
Doesn’t fall off, your pet cant be stolen
It makes it difficult for anyone to steal an animal. The relative person is unable to localize and remove the chip which was otherwise possible with tags or collars.
One microchip can last up to 20 years
It is inactive unless exposed to a scanner. Moreover, it doesn’t need a replacement for decades. This signifies that a microchip is a one-time investment.
Data is safe and cannot be accessed just by anyone
All the data you share on the chip is only accessible to selective users. This includes vets and animal shelters. Basically, your data is safe and encrypted.
Drawbacks of Microchipping
You can not ignore the fact that microchipping protects your pet. But there are certain disadvantages that have come to our knowledge since past few years. These might be the reason you’d look forward to scrambling a dog’s microchip.
It is not a GPS Detector
Some people might confuse the microchip with a GPS detector which is not the case in reality. The chip does not detect the location of your dog. He can only be reached once the chip is scanned by an authentic party.
Occasional Inflammation after insertion of Microchip
After you install the chip into your doggo’s skin you might see some inflammation for a few days at the site of injection. This can be painful but it mostly goes away on its own.
The database needs regular update
The microchip database needs to be updated regularly, about the owner details and growth of the pet. In case you don’t do that the chip becomes useless.
Some scanners don’t work for all microchips
Some microchips can not be scanned by all scanners but only the company-specific ones. Other centers hold only one scanner that might not be compatible with all microchips.
Microchips can travel around the layer and detection becomes difficult
Microchips are inserted between the shoulder blades into the upper layer of the body. Since most microchips are inserted into puppies, as they grow and turn into mature dogs the location of the microchip can change sometimes. Therefore, Microchips rarely travel around the layer, and sometimes it becomes difficult to locate them.
Can cause cancer at the site of injection
According to the research held from 1996-2006, it was concluded 8-10.2% of the microchipped pets were found to have cancer in the chip-implantation area. There is a very rare chance of this happening.
Chips can add to additional expenses
Some chips are pretty expensive. Firstly you need to pay for the microchip and for the vet to install it. Then every year for updating the pet info you need to pay extra dollars. Some people pay annual charges.
Not suitable for smaller breeds until they are big enough
Normally puppies must be microchipped by the seventh to the eighth week. However, in the case of smaller breeds such as Chihuahua, you can wait until it’s big enough.
Whenever you buy a new puppy make sure to get them scanned first. Then match all the information with the paperwork. If a breeder doesn’t provide you with a chipped puppy this is something to worry about, if he’s delaying the process intentionally walk away.
How to scramble a Dog’s microchip?
Some people find it cruel to inject animals with microchips. Others feel that microchips can cause severe health concerns in long term, sometimes even non-treatable cancers. Another reason for de-chipping a dog could be the new ownership. A new owner would like to decode or remove the previous chip and replace it with a new one. So if you bought a dog who happens to be microchipped, How to scramble the dog’s microchip?
Contacting the Database with Evidence
When you first purchase your dog, don’t forget to get full knowledge and papers on the microchip. Take the Microchip receipts at the time of purchase. Try to access the database with the previous owner and delete all the previously stored data.
If you had forgotten to collect that, try contacting the database, present the purchase evidence in front of them and get them in contact with the previous owner. Once they have accepted you with the new ownership, delete the previous data and get yourself updated on the database. You can then purchase the annual membership and use the same chip only.
Using a Fluoroscope guided surgery to remove it
When you visit the dog to get the dog de-chipped it’s normal that the vet would look at you in suspicion. He might answer tons of questions to be sure you haven’t stolen the togs. Ignore that and explain to him your concerns with all the evidence you got.
Using a fluoroscope you can locate the exact position of the microchip. The difficult part comes with the surgery, the microchip being size of a rice grain often has other layers of skin growing over it, to remove it with surgery could be complex as it could be bio-bond.
Remember the chips are inserted when puppies are a few weeks old, with the growing age it goes deeper and the surgery becomes difficult. The worst part is shaving his hair, anesthesia, and then getting your dog a few stitches. You also need to take care of the post-operative symptoms. On the other side, the good part is that it’s a minor surgery as the chip is within the superficial layer of the body.
Electromagnetic Radiation
Sometimes the concern is not the chip but the information it carries, for this purpose electromagnetic radiations can be used to damage the chip and disable all the information they carry.
Microelectronics is used in the making of chips. Electromagnetic radiations can be used to destroy the information on the chip. It is now safe to install another chip if you’d like.
Using a strong Electromagnet
There is very little evidence but some people say they were able to scramble a microchip using a strong electromagnet. Have you studied electromagnetism as a part of Physics in grade 9? We are using the same technique here.
Detect the region that contains the chip. Simply wave the magnet a few times over the surface. Then scan again unless it cant be scanned any longer. This is proof that the chip is now nonfunctional and the data is undetectable.
This is basically a strong electromagnet technique, it could be successful in scrambling the dog’s microchip because the chip is in the superficial layer.
How to check my microchip is up to date?
For this purpose, you’ll have to get in contact with the registering company, which means checking their database and see if it’s an updated contact.
If you don’t own certification of registration or any other form of registration from the Database, please check if the microchip company has registered itself with the Government portal.
In case you want to change any of the information, for example, a new address or some new details about your doggo you again need to contact the database. The company is going to charge you few extra bucks for this job. However, it’s important for the safety of your dog.
Is it suggestive to scramble a dog’s microchip?
Nobody would want to put a dog through surgery just to remove a tiny pea-sized chip from a dog. Especially when it isn’t causing any damage, however, if you are still reluctant to get your dog chip-free we have listed the ways.
With that said, it’s safe to conclude that microchips are important for the safe return of your pets if they go missing. However, to scramble the dog’s microchip always contact the database for help and keep surgery as your last option.
Enjoy the beautiful moments with your playful companion!
