Microchipping is essential for every English Springer Spaniel owner. English Springer Spaniel are bright dogs that can easily slip out of their collar or sneak away from the garden. Because these dogs may go missing at any time, microchipping is quite crucial for them to be located if they do disappear. In this blog article, we’ll go through all you need to know about microchipping your English Springer Spaniel!
What is a pet microchip?
A microchip is a tiny computer chip, which is placed by a qualified microchip implanter under your pet’s skin, between their shoulder blades. The physical chip is very small, about the size of a grain of rice, and it will remain in your English Springer Spaniel pup for its entire lifetime. This microchip contains all the information about you and your pet, including their vaccinations, medical records, breed type, etc. Microchips are not only used for identification but also to combat dog theft.
Why should you microchip your English Springer Spaniel?
Microchipping is the best way to identify your English Springer Spaniel. By law, all dogs should be microchipped. Although microchipping your dog is now compulsory, it also makes life easier to keep your dog safe. If he or she ever gets lost and ends up at the vets, which does happen more than you think, microchipped English Springer Spaniels are much easier to reunite with their families than those who aren’t microchipped.
How can microchipping help me reunite with my missing English Springer Spaniel?
Microchipping is a kind and safe method to reunite you with your English Springer Spaniel if they get lost. When their microchip is scanned, it would return to you as the owner if someone discovered your missing dog and took them to the veterinarian or rescue facility.
It’s critical that your dog’s microchip information is up to date and registered in order to ensure that microchipping is effective. If you just got a new English Springer Spaniel, make sure the microchip database firm has your most recent contact information so they can notify you when your missing pet is discovered. You may find it difficult to be reunited with your English Springer Spaniel if the microchip contact information isn’t current.
At what age do I get my English Springer Spaniel microchipped?
English Springer Spaniels can be microchipped at any age, but it’s better if they are at least seven or eight weeks old. If you get your English Springer Spaniel puppy microchipped before they are seven weeks old, their immune system is not fully formed. This could result in them rejecting the chip implant or it failing to work correctly.
If you live in the UK, by law your English Springer Spaniel pup must be microchipped by the time they are eight weeks old. Typically, your breeder will have undertaken this exercise before you pick up your English Springer Spaniel puppy, but it is always worth confirming with the breeder that this is the case. If you are not sure, you can go visit your local vet who will be able to provide you with that information. If they cannot find a chip, microchip implantation is a simple procedure they can do whilst you wait.
Does my elderly English Springer Spaniel need microchipping?
Some people think that if their dog is old, they are not required to get it microchipped. This is not true unless your veterinarian says that the English Springer Spaniel can’t be microchipped for health reasons. The vet will provide a certificate stating the exemption. In the UK, as regulations have made microchipping dogs compulsory, it is likely that your canine companion will already be chipped. Having them chipped is not enough, we would recommend that you check with your microchipping database that the details are correct and up to date.
Will microchipping hurt my English Springer Spaniel?
Microchipping your dog is not only a painless procedure, it is a simple process that causes no discomfort. Don’t be concerned if you’re worried about having unpleasant pain inflicted on your English Springer Spaniel. With today’s technology, the operation is incredibly quick and simple, with a fast injection that provides no discomfort to your dog. When a veterinarian uses a microchip scanner to identify the number on your English Springer Spaniel’s microchip, it’s another painless procedure that takes just seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
Some people are concerned about side effects when it comes to microchipping their English Springer Spaniel. There are some side effects that can happen with these chips but most of them are minor and not really something you need to worry about.
Microchips can cause allergies in your dog which will lead to irritation by the area where the chip was inserted or redness around it. This is very rare since they have been used for many years now without any major side effects being reported yet.
Another possible side effect might be an infection at certain sites although this isn’t common either according to research done on over 100 dogs who were all microchipped successfully and safe from side effects. With proper care and cleaning of the area chipped, microchipping side effects can be avoided.
Where can I get my English Springer Spaniel microchipped?
Every breeder that sells dogs should make sure they are microchipped, but if your English Springer Spaniel puppy is not yet microchipped, there are a variety of locations where you can get it done. This service may be obtained from veterinarians’ offices, animal shelters, rescue groups, as well as certain pet shops for an expense; the dog’s owner will receive a certificate and correct microchip paperwork. Some rescue organizations may do this work for free.
How much does it cost to have my English Springer Spaniel microchipped?
The cost of microchipping your English Springer Spaniel in the United Kingdom is roughly £20. The microchip charge will be determined by the microchip company you select, as well as other services provided. If you buy a number of services at once, such as vaccinations or pet identification tags, some microchip businesses may provide price reductions. This fee could range from £20 to £30 if you don’t want to buy any additional services from them.
I got my English Springer Spaniel microchipped, what’s next?
When you get your dog microchipped, you should make sure you register your pet’s microchip details and your contact info with a government-approved UK pet database. Click here to read about the different pet database companies and what they offer.
Once your English Springer Spaniel’s microchip is registered, it is your responsibility as the keeper to update it, especially your address and personal contact details, whenever you move to a different location. This makes it easier to reunite you and your pet when they go astray.
How can I update the information for my English Springer Spaniel’s microchip?
You can update the microchip information at your local vet clinic or by getting in touch with the microchip company where your pet’s microchip details were registered.
Changing and updating a dog’s details on a pet microchip database costs between £6 and £20 in administration fees. Some charge you each time you modify your information, whereas others charge an upfront fee that covers all changes throughout your dog’s lifetime. Check with your database to see how they’re managed.
If you don’t keep your information current, the prospect of being reunited with your English Springer Spaniel if they go missing is considerably less. Don’t put yourself in a position where you may never see your dog again. If the details of your English Springer Spaniel remain unchanged, it will be the previous owner’s details that will be held on file with the microchip database as opposed to yours.
Please note, there is also a £500 fine due if your contact details registered with a government approved pet database is inaccurate.
Conclusion
Microchipping your dog is a critical part of pet ownership. If properly inserted, it is a quick and painless procedure with no negative side effects. It’s critical to microchip your dog and have their microchip information registered in an authorised pet microchip database so you’ll be easily reunited with them if they go missing.
I hope you found this post useful, and that it answered all of your questions regarding microchipping your English Springer Spaniel! If so, please share it with others who could benefit from learning more about it.