If you own a South Russian Ovcharka, microchipping is an important step that needs to be taken. South Russian Ovcharka are very intelligent dogs and can easily slip out of their collar or escape from the garden. This makes microchipping incredibly necessary for these dogs so they can be found if they ever do go missing. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about microchipping your South Russian Ovcharka!
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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka?
Microchipping is the best way to identify your South Russian Ovcharka. 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 to microchipped South Russian Ovcharkas are much easier to reunite with their families than those who aren’t microchipped.
How can microchipping help me reunite with my missing South Russian Ovcharka?
If your South Russian Ovcharka gets lost, microchipping is a humane way to ensure that you are reunited with them. This means if someone found your missing dog and took them to the vet or rescue centre, when their microchip was scanned it would lead back to you as their pet owner.
In order to ensure microchipping is successful, it is important that your dog’s microchip information is registered and kept up to date. If you have just recently adopted a new South Russian Ovcharka, make sure the microchip database company has your most recent contact information so they can reach you when your missing pet is found. If you do not keep the contact details up to date on your microchip, if your South Russian Ovcharka goes missing, you may find it very difficult to be reunited with them.
At what age do I get my South Russian Ovcharka microchipped?
South Russian Ovcharkas can be microchipped at any age, but it’s better if they are at least seven or eight weeks old. If you get your South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka?
Of course not, microchipping your dog is a simple procedure that doesn’t cause any type of pain. If you are worried about having pain inflicted on your South Russian Ovcharka, don’t worry. With modern technology today, the procedure is extremely quick and easy, a quick injection that doesn’t cause your dog any type of discomfort. When a vet uses a microchip scanner to identify your South Russian Ovcharka’s microchip number, this is also a painless procedure that takes a matter of seconds.
Are there any side effects of microchipping my dog?
Some people are concerned about side effects when it comes to microchipping their South Russian Ovcharka. 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 South Russian Ovcharka microchipped?
All dogs from breeders should be microchipped prior to sale but if your South Russian Ovcharka puppy is not yet microchipped, there are various places where you can get it microchipped. Veterinary clinics, animal shelters, rescue organizations and even some pet stores offer this service for a fee where the dog owner will receive a certificate and correct microchip paperwork. Some rescue organisations may do this process for free.
How much does it cost to have my South Russian Ovcharka microchipped?
In the United Kingdom, a microchip implantation procedure costs around £20. The microchip cost will be determined by the microchip company you choose as well as other services provided. If you buy several services at once, such as vaccinations or pet identification tags, some companies may provide discounts. This price range is between £20 and £30 if you don’t want to acquire any more services from them.
I got my South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka’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 South Russian Ovcharka’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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 South Russian Ovcharka 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 vital part of pet ownership. It is a quick and easy painless procedure with no side effects at all if properly implanted. It’s important to microchip your dog and get their microchip details registered with an authorised pet microchipping database so if they were ever to run off, you will have the peace of mind that they could be returned to you easily.
I hope this article was helpful, and you learned everything you need about microchipping your South Russian Ovcharka! If so, please share with others who might also benefit from learning more information.