Paper Example on Identifying Animals With Animal Microchips: A Guide

An animal microchip is a small device or rather an implant that is integrated under the skin of an animal. The purpose of an animal microchip is the identification of animals and mostly animal tracking. The chip is very small, about the size of a large grain of rice and uses the mechanism of passive radio-frequency identification (RFID). The microchips are of different types as they depend on the type of animal being implanted with the chip. The technology of micro-chipping animals and especially pets is used in the US to aid in identifying the owners of lost animals. The standard microchips are typically 11-13mm long and a diameter of 2mm. Since these devices are passive devices, they are battery-free and thus, they do not have any internal energy source

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Microchips contain only four components; a capacitor, antenna, connecting wire, and a covering. The purpose of the covering is preventing the device from shifting from its location (Ingwersen and Wintz 2009). Depending on the type of animal, the microchips are implanted at different locations in the animal body. The surfaces of these microchips are in most cases, biocompatible bio-glass usually coated with polymers. The primary function of the microchips is storing the identification number which is unique to a particular animal. The ID number aids in the tracking of the location and health of the animal (Vascellari and Melchiotti 2011). The process of inserting the microchips in the animals is done by veterinarians or at shelter houses.

The definition of the microchip ID code is given by a 15digit numerical code which uses 0-9. The country code or the manufacturer code is represented by the first three digits. The unique ID codes are read using a scanner and the information in the device retrieved using the recovery database from the registry company. This process gives the information about the animal that is the location and the health details of the animal. Microchips emit low-power radio frequency signals, which are read by scanners and the information recorded. In the antenna, the mechanism of electromagnetic induction causes the generation of electricity, and thus transmission of information stored in the microchip occurs. The microchip transmits the unique identification number. It also collects and transmits body temperature data.

Different animal microchips are being used in the US, leading to misunderstandings and several lawsuits. There lacks an agreed American Standard for animal microchip frequencies. The use of standard animal microchip frequencies reduces the possibility of failure to identify the implanted microchip. Tracking and reuniting the lost animals with their owners becomes successful when the information within the database is accurate.

In 1996, the ISO standards 11784/11785 were implemented and were accepted by countries like Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia. These standards have been endorsed for use in the United States by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI). The ISO standard 11784 explains the structure of the microchip content, whereas the ISO standard 11785 defines the procedure for scanner microchip communication and recording of the information in the microchip ( Vascellari and Melchiotti 2011). The standards involve the assigning of a 15-digit numeric ID code to each microchip, the 3digits identification for the country where the animal was being implanted with the chip, or the manufacturers' code. The remaining eight digits are the animals' identification codes that are unique to any given animal.

Different animal microchip frequencies are being used in different parts of the world. Until recently, the most common frequency which has been used in the United States was 125KHz chip. This chip can be read by most of the scanners in the united states. The next frequency is 134KHz chip and was introduced in the united states in 2004. This microchip is defined by specifications developed by the ISO. This is usually considered to be the global standard for animal microchips as it is used by the rest of the world in animal microchipping. Lastly, there is the 128KHz, which was introduced in 2007 and can be read by many scanners although not all scanners.

There are various factors that affect the performance of scanners and microchips. These factors include the scanning orientation, which is the perpendicular or parallel to the long axis of the microchip (Hack and Heneghan 2015). Another factor is the distance between the scanner and the microchip. Also, the threshold power needed in the activation of the microchip. The variations in microchip inserting technique. Another factor that affects the microchip and the scanner performance is the compliance of the animal during the implantation/ scanning time. Microchip migration and scanner antenna tuning are also factors that affect performance.

Microchip scanning efficiency can be maximized through several techniques. From Vitro and Vivo studies, Lord et al. came up with several criteria to improve the efficacy of microchip scanning. Some of the criteria are like obtaining a universal scanner that can read microchips of all frequencies - also providing training on appropriate and consistent scanning techniques for all personnel. Maximization of efficiency of microchips scanning can be through avoiding interference by scanning away computers, metal tables, and fluorescent lightings. Always remove metal collars before scanning. Scanning for not faster than half-foot per second also improves the microchip scanning efficiency. The continuity functionality of animal microchips should always be ensured by scanning microchipped animals after every wellness examination. Also, the regular battery change schedule for scanners need to be developed to maximize the performance. The performance of microchip scanners should be maximized to ensure their applications are easier.

Animal microchipping is highly applied in the united states and mostly with pets like dogs and cats. Microchips in animals are used in locating and reuniting lost animals with their owners. The microchips contain identification numbers that aid in giving the location where the animal was being implanted. This greatly aids in giving information on the potential origin of a lost animal, and thus, the reuniting becomes easier. Microchipping animals also helps in determining the vaccination schedules for different animals. One is able to know which animals have been vaccinated and which ones are not. In some countries, imported animals are microchipped upon arrival. This assists the government in determining the health conditions of these animals, and thus, the government can be able to impose preventative measures in case any disease outbreak is detected in that particular country.

Microchips for animals are not yet universal, but in some countries, they are legally required. These countries are like New South Wales, Australia and the United Kingdom for cats and dogs). Animal microchipping has been used as the National Animal Identification System for farm and ranch animals in the United States (Hack and Heneghan 2015).

Conclusion

In conclusion, there has been a lack of international standards for animal microchipping, and this has not been a success, or this is the reason why animal microchipping has not been universal. For successful tracking and identification of animals, accuracy must be ensured. The accuracy of microchipping lies in the proper use of the scanners which are used. Therefore, there is need to come up with scanners that can read all the types of microchips and with a high level of sensitivity.

References

Lord, L. K., Ingwersen, W., Gray, J. L., & Wintz, D. J. (2009). Characterization of animals with microchips entering animal shelters. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 235(2), 160-167.

Carminato, A., Vascellari, M., Marchioro, W., Melchiotti, E., & Mutinelli, F. (2011). Microchipassociated fibrosarcoma in a cat. Veterinary dermatology, 22(6), 565-569.

Erber, R., Wulf, M., Becker-Birck, M., Kaps, S., Aurich, J. E., Mostl, E., & Aurich, C. (2012). Physiological and behavioral responses of young horses to hot iron branding and microchip implantation. The Veterinary Journal, 191(2), 171-175.

Scott, P., Hack, P., & Heneghan, K. (2015). Practical issues surrounding microchips and the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations. Companion Animal, 20(6), 347-351.

Lancaster, E., Rand, J., Collecott, S., & Paterson, M. (2015). Problems associated with the microchip data of stray dogs and cats entering RSPCA Queensland shelters. Animals, 5(2), 332-348.

Nandi, P., Scott, D. E., Desai, D., & Lunte, S. M. (2013). Development and optimization of an integrated PDMS basedmicrodialysis microchip electrophoresis device with onchip derivatization for continuous monitoring of primary amines. Electrophoresis, 34(6), 895-902.