All Things MicrochippingAll Things Microchipping

Paula Boyden BVetMed MRCVSPaula Boyden BVetMed MRCVS

Dogs TrustDogs Trust

A Brief HistoryA Brief History

Had to be surgically Had to be surgically placedplaced

14mm needle very 14mm needle very largelarge

Modern microchips Modern microchips 11mm11mm

Mini chips can be as Mini chips can be as small as 8.5mmsmall as 8.5mm

Better needle Better needle applicationapplication

MicrochipsMicrochips

• Radio Frequency Identification Devices (R.F.I.D’s) Radio Frequency Identification Devices (R.F.I.D’s) • The International Organisation for Standardisation The International Organisation for Standardisation

– (ISO 11784 and ISO 11785)(ISO 11784 and ISO 11785)• FDX-A (125khtz) (Still Most Common in US)FDX-A (125khtz) (Still Most Common in US)• FDX-B (134.2 khtz) FDX-B (134.2 khtz) • Permanent identificationPermanent identification

– Quick and easy to place with correct trainingQuick and easy to place with correct training– IrremovableIrremovable– ReliableReliable

How they WorkHow they Work

Transmitter

Transponder

Transmitter (scanner) emits signal to activate transponder (chip) at correct frequency

Inside a MicrochipInside a Microchip

• Ends of microchip laser sealed for safetyEnds of microchip laser sealed for safety• Polymer coating solidPolymer coating solid• Not all microchips have the same coatingNot all microchips have the same coating

Ferrite Rod Copper Coil Ferrite Rod Copper Coil PolymerPolymer

Chip Chip

“Parylene” Parylene” Biocompatible Biocompatible

coatingcoating

ScannersScanners

• Understand how scanners work! Understand how scanners work! • Keep batteries charged to power chip Keep batteries charged to power chip • Keep warm Keep warm • Scan correctlyScan correctly• Scanners either run at 128khtz and can pick up both or Scanners either run at 128khtz and can pick up both or

switch between frequencies. CARE!switch between frequencies. CARE!• Environmental interferenceEnvironmental interference

Know your scannerKnow your scanner

How to Implant a MicrochipHow to Implant a Microchip

Scanning for a microchipScanning for a microchip

Most Likely Locations!

• Midline Between Scapulae

• Chest

• Elbows

Scanning MethodScanning Method

MICROCHIPS CAN MOVE!!!MICROCHIPS CAN MOVE!!!

Problems Locating a Problems Locating a Microchip?Microchip?

Potential Reasons:Potential Reasons:

1)1) Microchip MigrationMicrochip Migration

2)2) Scanner User ErrorScanner User Error

3)3) Scanner ErrorScanner Error

4)4) Microchip LossMicrochip Loss

5)5) Microchip FailureMicrochip Failure

More Likely

Less Likely

Adverse ReactionsAdverse Reactions

• Adverse reactions are Adverse reactions are rarerare

• In the past 15 years over 6 million In the past 15 years over 6 million microchips have been implantedmicrochips have been implanted

• Reported adverse events total 431 (Jan Reported adverse events total 431 (Jan 2012)2012)

• Vast majority are due to migrationVast majority are due to migration

ADVERSE REACTIONSADVERSE REACTIONS

• MigrationMigration 56%56%

• LossLoss 19%19%

• Swelling/infectionSwelling/infection 11% 11%

• FailedFailed 9% 9%

• OthersOthers 5% 5%

0.007%

Why bother to microchip?Why bother to microchip?

Lost / Stray DogsLost / Stray Dogs

• Approximately 100,000 lost/abandoned Approximately 100,000 lost/abandoned dogs are picked up each yeardogs are picked up each year

• In 2012*, less than half the dogs In 2012*, less than half the dogs identified as strays in the UK were identified as strays in the UK were reunited with their ownersreunited with their owners

Dogs Trust estimates that the Dogs Trust estimates that the UK Government could save UK Government could save

around £20 million if around £20 million if microchipping was compulsorymicrochipping was compulsory

Abandoned DogsAbandoned Dogs

Dangerous/Fighting DogsDangerous/Fighting Dogs

Breeding / ShowingBreeding / Showing

Databases Databases andand

Registration Registration

Microchips are useless unless Microchips are useless unless registered on a recognised registered on a recognised

accessible database to accessible database to facilitate identification and facilitate identification and

reunificationreunification

Have an appropriate Code Have an appropriate Code of Practice – databases of Practice – databases andand manufacturers/distributorsmanufacturers/distributors

Database StandardDatabase Standard

• 24/7 availability for RU24/7 availability for RU

• Single POCSingle POC

• Registration timeRegistration time

• BacktrackBacktrack

• Security / ContingencySecurity / Contingency

Distributor StandardDistributor Standard

• Agreed by overseeing body / Agreed by overseeing body / organisationorganisation

• Annual sign-upAnnual sign-up• Code:Code:• MicrochipsMicrochips• ScannersScanners• TrainingTraining• BacktrackBacktrack

MicrochipsMicrochips

• PPS (pre-packed Sterile)PPS (pre-packed Sterile)

• ISO 11784 / 11785ISO 11784 / 11785

• Registered by ICARRegistered by ICAR

• Must not supply chips with a country codeMust not supply chips with a country code

• Must not supply chips with prefix 999Must not supply chips with prefix 999

• Suggest chips that minimise the chance Suggest chips that minimise the chance of migration of migration

ScannersScanners

• ISO 11785ISO 11785

• Be able to read FDX-A until 2026Be able to read FDX-A until 2026

• Have low battery indicatorHave low battery indicator

TrainingTraining

• Quality is the responsibility of the Quality is the responsibility of the distributordistributor– Responsible pet ownership / H&S / Adverse Responsible pet ownership / H&S / Adverse

reactionsreactions

– Microchips: RFID / ISOMicrochips: RFID / ISO

– ScannerScanner

– Implanting: practical, minimum of 2Implanting: practical, minimum of 2

– Database, including backtrackDatabase, including backtrack

– Regulations: PETS, collar and tagRegulations: PETS, collar and tag

The Backtrack SystemThe Backtrack System

• R.F.I.Ds are registered to the implanter R.F.I.Ds are registered to the implanter on allocation by the distributoron allocation by the distributor

• When the RFID is implanted the main When the RFID is implanted the main details are changed, but implanter details details are changed, but implanter details remain remain

• Access to all databases is restricted to Access to all databases is restricted to authorised partiesauthorised parties

EuropetnetEuropetnet

• 47,586,680 pets recorded47,586,680 pets recorded

• Access via databases registering with Access via databases registering with EuropetnetEuropetnet

SummarySummary

• Effective at all timesEffective at all times

• Impossible to alterImpossible to alter

• Extremely difficult to removeExtremely difficult to remove

• BUTBUT

• Robust, accessible system of registrationRobust, accessible system of registration

• Appropriate training and knowledge of all Appropriate training and knowledge of all involvedinvolved

Thanks for listening