2010-07-12

Micro chips

Many years ago, when Sibu was but a wee little tyke, I had him Micro-chipped for easy identification, should he ever be lost...
 ...in a pair of jeans or something.
Like Kai's mouth. Although Kai was also chipped, so maybe that wouldn't have worked.

The usual practice is to place the chip between the shoulder blades, which worked very well. For a few years. I think it was about four years or so later, that I noticed the chip didn't seem to be there! I guess brushing him regularly will move the chip along... the vet found it near his tail, said not to worry, it's not unusual for them to move, but, (I love that) keep an eye on it.

The fact that he only scanned in the area it should be in before doubting I had had him chipped at all didn't inspire a lot of confidence. He was all set to chip Sibu again! I told him to keep looking!

I wonder how many places the chip has travelled under the skin of my cat? Right now it appears to be on the point of his chin, there is a red spot and a tiny lump. I am taking him tomorrow to the vet to have him scanned. I won't take him on the bus though, so that means I have to wait for my friend to give me a lift.  When I was calling around today to see where I could take him, one vet clinic said they would charge me the $75.00 clinic fee.... just to run a scanner over him. I will be taking him to the other one - the one that won't charge me.

All this makes me wonder how many pets, when taken to the pound are NOT reunited with their owners because the chip has moved to an unlikely location?


The photos above are scans of Polaroids, so they probably won't enlarge much, the male in the photos is of one of my brothers. (My legs aren't that hairy - usually)

Have a good day all.

16 comments:

Leah J. Utas said...

It never occurred to me that chips move. Good to know.
Meanwhile, Sibu was very cute although the jeans pic is kind of disturbing.

the Bag Lady said...

Love the photos, sis! My Fuzzy cat tries to do that with my jeans, too.... I always tell him that it takes more than that to get into my pants... (was that TMI?)

I haven't had the Princess scanned to see whether her chip has moved, but they did tell me that it probably would.

Barrie said...

The chips move?! Who knew!!

Reb said...

Leah, I was told it might when it was inserted, but was more concerned when they said it is possible for them to break, but very rare. Sibu still tries to do the pant trick, but I don't drop my pants all the way to the floor like that.

Thanks Sis. Don't you want something warm and - um, never mind. You should be able to feel it, if it is still where they put it.

Barrie, I was told that it might, also that while they rarely break, they can.

Barbara Martin said...

All the animals I've ever had were either tatooed or had brands or freeze-marks.

Thanks, Reb, as this is good to know.

messymimi said...

Also, check to make sure that the registry you have used is still in business. I had a friend who took her cats to the vet recently, and was told that the registry had gone out of business and was bought out, and to make sure the new company still had the correct information.

She lives in Canada, and her vet also said it is a good idea to check with your company yearly, to make sure the info is up to date.

Wonderful photos.

Akum said...

The first picture looks so cute and hilarious. Dude's legs are suppose to be hairy!

Reb said...

Barbara, I am thinking of having it removed. It is a bit red where it is and I am not sure it is a good place. Next cat I will get tattooed.

Messymimi, thanks, I never thought of that.

A.K. lol, thanks.

Writing Without Periods! said...

Love the photos. Thanks for the giggle.
Mary

Reb said...

Mary, glad I could help ;)

Anonymous said...

I had no idea that a chip could move like that!

Your brother is a good sport to let you take his picture on the pot!
My cat likes to join me in the bathroom, but she just likes the captive attention for being pet. I also think she likes opening the door...

Reb said...

Karen, they said it would move some, but I never thought it would move that much. The joys of living alone, no closed door! lol

Frank Baron said...

Moving chips eh? Who'da thunk it?

You did a public service, Reb. Good on ya'. :)

Reb said...

Frank, I never thought it would go so far. Thanks.

Hilary said...

I guess there's new meaning to having a chip on ones shoulder...

The chin thing. Do you feel certain that the chip is there? One of my cats has had a red lump on his chin which my vet said was simply a form of acne from the cat not grooming the area well enough. He suggested a toothbrush and water to scrub it gently a couple of times a day. That did the trick after a week or so.

The photos are wonderful.. particularly the potty pants image. Sweet baby Sibu!

Reb said...

Hilary, thanks. Yes, it turns out it was some acne, or I moved the chip.