Cooperation: they both get a treat when they return with the toy!



Just a little playtime: things will have to be quiet for a few days


To Chip or Not to Chip

That is the question we were asked this morning when we took our babies in to be neutered and spayed. These days, puppies are neutered anytime after 14 weeks, and they say the earlier the better it is for the puppy. Primarily, there is a lower risk of cancers related to reproductive organs if they are done at an earlier age. They also heal more quickly, and the surgery is easier on them because the reproductive organs are much smaller and less developed at this age. So, here they are at 16.5 weeks of age and they are having their surgeries.

Back to the chip or not to chip question. We were asked if we wanted to have them microchipped while they were in for surgery anyway (for an extra $60 plus an annual fee of $14 to the microchip service). When I got home, I did a bit of online research and discovered that there is an incidence of tumor at the site of the microchip in lab animals and in dogs, and that based on a review of these studies it is recommended that microchip use be reassessed http://www.antichips.com/cancer/. Also, the microchip gives off an electro-magnetic wave that I’m sure cannot be good for dogs or humans for that matter.

The other thing is that border collies are pretty good at staying close to home. By nature, they like to be close to their people, and don't seem to wander off their property. The only worry would occur if they were taken from us. If that ever happened, we would have to find the dogs to check for the microchip. An unlikely scenario.

So, needless to say, we are not going to have them microchipped today.