Identification

Question 1

why is identification important?

Answer 1

reunite lost animals, visible identification discourages cruelty/theft/fraud, decreases the likelihood of abandonment, and it’s an essential component of the legal system to uphold owner responsiblity

Question 2

tattooing

Answer 2

permanent
mark created by puncturing skin and inserting pigment
provokes immune response which leaves pigment trapped within fibroblasts in skin

Question 3

disadvantages of tattooing

Answer 3

not easily visible, can be difficult to locate, can fade/become unreadable, can be altered

Question 4

advantages of tattooing

Answer 4

secure, deters theft, can be detected without special equipment, personal details not on public display, low cost

Question 5

welfare concerns with tattooing

Answer 5

can be painful (general anesthetic recommended), can lead to infections and possible disease transmission between animals, ink must be non-toxic

Question 6

tattooing methods

Answer 6

electric tattooing needle, tattoo forceps

Question 7

microchipping

Answer 7

permanent
radio frequency identification (REID)
signal transmitted from transponder (chip) to reading device (scanner)
implanted under the skin
alphanumerical code

Question 8

microchipping advantages

Answer 8

permanent unequivocal id for duration of animal’s life, can’t be removed/tapered with, minimal handling needed to identify, won’t alter animal’s appearance/behavior, quick/minimal discomfort, personal info not visible to public

Question 9

microchipping disadvantages

Answer 9

lack of scanners, registry requires infrastructure with web access and 24 hour staff, can only be detected with the right scanner, no visible id, SQ migration

Question 10

microchipping welfare concerns

Answer 10

no general/local anesthetic needed, sterile units should be used to decrease risk of infection, restraint and scanning can increase FAS

Question 11

what is the microchip made of?

Answer 11

it’s a small chip about the size of a grain of rice
incased in biocompatible glass with a memory circuit that is programmed with a unique code (15-digit alphanumerical)
it becomes energized in the presence of the scanner

Question 12

what packaging do microchips come in?

Answer 12

packed in pre-packed sterile unit (PPS) that contains microchip, needle, sterilization indicator, expiration date, and at least 3 self-adhesive bar codes containing the microchip’s code (one for owner, implanter’s records, and database)

Question 13

what are characteristics of the microchip scanner?

Answer 13

generates low frequency radio band that is intercepted by the chip to transmit a return signal
scanner decodes the signal and displays the id code

Question 14

where are microchips implanted?

Answer 14

SQ between shoulder blades and has to be done under vet supervision

Question 15

what is the procedure for implanting a microchip?

Answer 15

1. ensure package isn’t damaged
2. scan chip in package to make sure # matches
3. clean site
4. implant SQ: insert needle fully and depress plunger completely
5. remove needle and apply pressure
6. scan to ensure implantation
7. documents need to be submitted

Question 16

what is the procedure for scanning a microchip?

Answer 16

1. check scanner for full battery
2. hold scanner horizontally- moving in a circular or basket weave motion
   move side to side and front to back
   go slowly
3. repeat process at least once (2nd person ensures)

Question 17

ear tipping

Answer 17

permanent
done under anesthesia during alteration surgery
usually left ear
6-8mm of tissue removed
vet only

Question 18

freeze branding

Answer 18

done using liquid nitrogen (or dry ice or alcohol)
can be painful, causes blistering of skin (not recommended for SAN)

Question 19

non-permanent methods of identification

Answer 19

collars/tags, ear tags, dyes/paints, radio transmitters

Question 20

collars/tags

Answer 20

can be issued to owners at time of rabies vaccination, color of tag can be changed each year to provide visible indicator that an animal is up-to-date

Question 21

dyes/paints

Answer 21

lasts a few weeks to months
simple to apply
color should be bright/contrast with animal’s fur
only use non-toxic paint