Microchip question

[IcyWolf]

This may be a dumb question, but I'm going to ask anyway. I have been talking it over with my SO about getting our birds and our dog microchipped in the near future(probably around tax time) and I am trying to learn as much as possible about it. First off, do the birds need to be anesthetized to have it done? I assumed not(and hoped not) since it is just an injection, it seemed to me like it would be easier to just towel them and quickly do the injection rather than risk anesthesia complications. The only reason I ask this is because on a website there was a person that worked at a vets office and they listed their fee for chipping and part of that fee included anesthesia. I think I would rather not have it done if it requires them to be put under but since I haven't heard of it before I assume that this is not common practice. My next question is, what is the best program to go with as far as registering, Home Again, Avid, another one? And lastly, I know that Luv My Pet(the clinics they have at petco) offers microchipping for much less than most vets. I wouldn't normally consider a clinic type situation for this, but we took our dog to them for his last vaccinations and they did a wonderful job and it was less than half the price that the vet would have charged. I looked on their website and it says that they do microchipping but they aren't specific whether or not this service is only offered for dogs and cats or if they would do a bird as well? I assumed they only chip dogs and cats but I thought I would ask you guys and see if anyone has ever asked them before.

 

[henpecked]

I think most birds are anesthesia when mirochipped due to the size and placement. I won't take my bird to someones who does it to clip wings. By the way i think they usually mirochip birds 150 grams or larger. Don't know much about PetCo.

 

[IcyWolf]

There are people that anesthetize birds to trim their wings?! That is absolutely insane! I used to work at a grooming shop and I was responsible for any birds that came in(just wings and nails, no beaks), all I would do is take them back to our bathroom(I know it sounds weird but it was a small shop and it was the safest, quietest room) talk to them gently, very carefully lay a towel on them, and do their wings and nails. Nine times out of ten, I would take the birds back out to their parronts on my hand. As soon as I took the towel off they would look around and then step right up for me, no animosity, no stress no problems. Microchips are inserted via syringe, just like an injection, I can't imagine how it would be better to anesthetize the bird when you could easily just towel them and leave the area where the injection goes uncovered. I'll have to look more into the size thing, ziggy is big enough but Billy is only half of that. I don't think I will get it done if they have to be put under

 

[suebee]

lol i was told by all 3 vets 1 of them an avian one, they would prefer to trim her nails by anesthetizing her 1st, they don't believe/or just won't clip wings. when i mentioned toweling her, the reply was a short, it will cause her to much distress

with all the risks involved with anesthetizing birds i'd rather trim a bit of her nails now an again my self, and have a rather disgruntaled nut for an hour or so after


this is no dis-respect towards the vets in question, but i felt as if they where going for the most expensive option, and in doing that i did not feel they had nuts best interest in mind

but with saying all that if i was to chip her (and i should) i would go for the anesthetized option, as i'd imagine that to be rather painfull having something inserted under the skin

 

[Mayden]

Merlin was 'knocked out' for his microchip. I'll admit I was a little anxious but I knew he was surrounded by a brilliant avian vet and a team of nurses and he was out for less than a minute.

The reason they knock the bird out is because if the bird moves whilst the chip is being inserted it can cause some SERIOUS/irreprible damage and so it's much much much safer to actually put the bird to sleep for a minute or two.

Knocking them out for a wing/nail clip is just absurd, my vet trimmed Merlins nails whilst he was asleep for the chip, just because he thought 'might aswell'. (No charge )

I was anxious, but the risk is really quite small. &usually overcome easily if your vet is not a moron!