Microchips

My dog has no microchip already implanted.  When I called my vet to see which kind they have on hand - it was the regular Avid chip.  I have read that it is better to go with either the HomeAgain chip or the AvidEuro one as those have a chance of being read by vets in the UK.  The receptionist tried to find a HomeAgain chip at other vets in the area but couldn't get one.  She spoke to the Vet and he suggested just ordering an AvidEuro chip.  But it will be more expensive than the regular Avid - she thinks just over $100.  Supposedly one advantage is that includes the registration fee and there is no yearly fee like other chips.  I don't know how much of an advantage that will be in the UK though? 

The only alternative I can think of is to buy the 15 digit chip @pettravelstore.com and the cheap scanner and just use that.  It would be more expensive than the AvidEuro by about $60 but would mean he had the 15 digit chip that works all over the EU now.  No idea if the cheap scanner is any good either. 

Anyone have any thoughts? I am trying to avoid having to put a second chip into him once we have moved next year. 

I am also still unsure if I should get the titer done after the rabies vaccine.  We will definitely not be moving before January - and I think the Defra site says we won't need it after Jan 1 - but I guess I won't feel confident about that until someone gets to the UK and reports back that it was ok.

I know it hasn't been very long but I was wondering if anyone had thoughts?  My vet is pestering me to make a decision

Personally, I would go for an international chip as then it should be readable anywhere in the UK. My pets both have US-style chips (one HomeAgain, one 24PetWatch), and the folks at Heathrow (and my vet's office, incidentally) have scanners able to read them. However, there's no guarantee that every shelter/animal control office will have them, so if your pet does go missing the chip may be useless.

The only alternative I can think of is to buy the 15 digit chip @pettravelstore.com and the cheap scanner and just use that.  It would be more expensive than the AvidEuro by about $60 but would mean he had the 15 digit chip that works all over the EU now.  No idea if the cheap scanner is any good either.

You shouldn't need to get a scanner, just the EU-style chip.

I am also still unsure if I should get the titer done after the rabies vaccine.  We will definitely not be moving before January - and I think the Defra site says we won't need it after Jan 1 - but I guess I won't feel confident about that until someone gets to the UK and reports back that it was ok.

Yes, the titre should be optional as of January 1. The checklist on DEFRA's site for the new requirements basically want you to: 1) do the chip first 2) then do the rabies vaccine 3) then wait 21+ days (the site still lists 21 days, apparently other documentation for vets in the UK lists 3 months) 4) get the EC 998 form signed off by a USDA state vet 5) travel. You can leave the titre information off the EC 998 form.

Worst case scenario, if you wanted to do the titre anyway, it's not that expensive. I think I paid about $120 for my dog and cat to get done.

Hope that helps.

Thanks, that does help.  I figured I would need to buy the scanner for the vet visits here.  I guess I need to check with my vet though and see if they think their scanners can read the 15 digit chips

Thanks, that does help.  I figured I would need to buy the scanner for the vet visits here.  I guess I need to check with my vet though and see if they think their scanners can read the 15 digit chips

Ah yes, I forgot about the requirements for re-checking the chip at every stage. (Though in theory, come January 2012, there will only be one stage, as you won't need to do the tick/tapeworm treatment either.)

Our cats have the Avid chip an they didn't have any issues when they came over in March 2005.