Microchipping?

[Flockmaster]

Hello, I was recently at a bird fair and won a raffle for a free microchipping at my vet, and I was wondering what the pro's and con's are? Is there much chance of it hurting my bird, and does it actually help much?

 

[Casper223]

Hello, I was recently at a bird fair and won a raffle for a free microchipping at my vet, and I was wondering what the pro's and con's are? Is there much chance of it hurting my bird, and does it actually help much?

With Dogs and Cats it's inserted under the skin in the form of a shot. In birds, what I've read it's in the form of a leg band, that isn't easily removed without certain tools only available to a vet. That's just what I've read about it so far, mine isn't microchipped, and I haven't spoken to my vet about this option as of yet. Hope this helps a little.

 

[Ellie777Australia]

Hello, I was recently at a bird fair and won a raffle for a free microchipping at my vet, and I was wondering what the pro's and con's are? Is there much chance of it hurting my bird, and does it actually help much?

Hi Flockmaster,



First of all, a big warm welcome to you and your fid family. I must have missed you in the new members section.


You will no doubt get as many opinions on micro-chipping as there are parrots available lol . Our Ellie had a leg band which we had removed due to irritation from the inappropriate sized band. There have been some serious problems/injuries associated with leg bands, even amputations. Perhaps this is the reason people are starting to use micro-chips.


Micro-chips are usually implanted in the pectoral region, just under the skin. The procedure is completed within 30 seconds. The newer micro-chips are smaller and appear to have less problems with migration. The newer versions can often be implanted using only a local anesthetic and toweling of your parrot.


Cons:
*Any procedure may cause trauma to your bird.
*Would a person finding a lost bird actually think of looking for a micro-chip when most are used to leg bands?
*Are the scanners available to read micro-chips when/where the bird is found? Do different micro-chips require different scanners?
*Potential localized infection
*Potential migration - would a person know to scan elsewhere other than left pectoral region if the micro-chip has migrated?


I took the simple and safest route. Ellie is safety-harnessed whenever we go out and she is never out of my sight. Many will definitely affirm that harnessing is not simple initially.


Kind Regards

 

[plumsmum2005]

If you have won this for a particular vet (I assume they are avian or wouldnt bother going) ask them about it. I have had three birds microchipped and my AV always uses a whiff of gas.

 

[SailBoat]

I strongly believe in Micro Chipping Mid to Larger Parrots.
Legal: Parrots are considered 'Property' under near all legal systems worldwide. It provides clarity of ownership that bands cannot.
Travel (CITES): International Travel requires extensive documentation as to ownership. Micro Chip provides a confirm connection between your documentation and the Parrot.
Stolen /Fly Away: Both happen far more than one would believe. Micro Chip works every time someone scans your Parrot.
Long Life: Unlike Dogs and Cats, mid to large Parrots can live a very long time. The costs per year of potential life have Micro Chip costs far less for a Parrot than a Dog.
Life: Stuff happens all the time. Fire, Storm Damage, etc... and all your paperwork is gone, the Micro Chip provides a solid foundation to recover needed documentations - Proof of Ownership!
Fully Transferable: Ownership transfers are trackable! CITES requirement that becomes more important as the Parrot population ages.
Etc, etc, etc...: IMHO, why would one not Micro Chip!

 

[Ellie777Australia]

I strongly believe in Micro Chipping Mid to Larger Parrots.
Legal: Parrots are considered 'Property' under near all legal systems worldwide. It provides clarity of ownership that bands cannot.
Travel (CITES): International Travel requires extensive documentation as to ownership. Micro Chip provides a confirm connection between your documentation and the Parrot.
Stolen /Fly Away: Both happen far more than one would believe. Micro Chip works every time someone scans your Parrot.
Long Life: Unlike Dogs and Cats, mid to large Parrots can live a very long time. The costs per year of potential life have Micro Chip costs far less for a Parrot than a Dog.
Life: Stuff happens all the time. Fire, Storm Damage, etc... and all your paperwork is gone, the Micro Chip provides a solid foundation to recover needed documentations - Proof of Ownership!
Fully Transferable: Ownership transfers are trackable! CITES requirement that becomes more important as the Parrot population ages.
Etc, etc, etc...: IMHO, why would one not Micro Chip!

Thank you SailBoat. .



Flockmaster, I totally agree with SailBoat. My comments re 'cons' were merely to show that there is very little to be concerned about. Those 'cons' listed were gathered from 'other people's opinions'.



My choice for Ellie applies to our current situation = no CAV anywhere close. Our Lab is micro-chipped and when able, we will probably do the same with Ellie. I just don't feel comfortable taking her to our 'dogs' vet.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

I also agree with Sailboat. All our larger fids are microchiped, because many CAVs won't microchip any bird smaller than a larger conure like a sun until the chips get smaller.

One thing I found I really actually like about microchipping parrots opposed to dogs or cats, is that they are almost always chipped in the breast muscle, not under the skin. I think this is a good thing for two, well three things really.

It really prevents migration of the chip since it is embedded in muscle instead of just under the skin. This also prevents the bird from being irritated and picking at it or even tearing it out. My CAV gave a small whiff of gas, did the chip, and that was it. My grey was a little sore for a day if we touched his chest. I'm not sure my Amazon even noticed.

It also, sad this is even a thing but I've heard of it happening with dog flippers a lot, prevents people who may find the bird if it does happen to get lost or someone steals it from cutting the chip out.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Flockmaster]

Thanks for the great responses everyone, I think I'm going to go ahead and do it. Ziggy never actually learned to fly, but I figure its better safe than sorry, and from what I can tell the downsides don't sound any riskier than getting bloodwork done.

 

[Flockmaster]

I just made an appointment for it, and I actually had a quick follow up question. Apparently they want him to fast for 12 hours before he goes in, I didn't make the appointment myself so I didn't get a chance to ask the vet, but does anyone know why that might be?
It's just a syringe right, not like actual surgery or anything?

 

[Ellie777Australia]

I just made an appointment for it, and I actually had a quick follow up question. Apparently they want him to fast for 12 hours before he goes in, I didn't make the appointment myself so I didn't get a chance to ask the vet, but does anyone know why that might be?
It's just a syringe right, not like actual surgery or anything?

Usually fasting is to prevent aspiration from possible regurgitation whilst sedated.

 

[OutlawedSpirit]

I just made an appointment for it, and I actually had a quick follow up question. Apparently they want him to fast for 12 hours before he goes in, I didn't make the appointment myself so I didn't get a chance to ask the vet, but does anyone know why that might be?
It's just a syringe right, not like actual surgery or anything?

12 hours seems like a bit much, but from my experience it isn't that uncommon anytime a bird is going to be put under even if it is just with a bit of gas. With my vet, when he microchips, he usually asks that we withhold food for 5 to 6 hours and water for 2 hours before their appointment time. That is all up to the individual vet though. It has to do with the anesthesia, not the microchip procedure. Even though hundreds of birds get put under with a whiff of isoflourane without any issues at all, it is possible that it could cause some nausea, just like people react differently to being put under.