Microchip

So Wednesday I have an appointment with the vet to get Cookie's beak and toe nails trimmed, as well as getting her looked over. (It seriously feels like she has daggers on her toes when she's dancing around my neck).

My debate, however, is whether to take Tiki down again or not. His beak isn't too bad right now, although getting it done wouldn't hurt. (He doesn't keep it trimmed down by playing with toys too well, we just recently got him to start chewing on toys.) What I really am debating, however, is getting him microchipped. Chicken is chipped, but she goes everywhere with me, so it is much more likely she would get outside away from me than Tiki would. Tiki, although he is fully flighted, he doesn't fly, unless he looses his balance on a perch or something then he'll flutter to the floor. I just don't know if it is worth the stress of chipping him, for how little risk he is at. So I guess, does anyone think he's at enough of a "flight risk" to make it worth the stress of chipping him? I can't make up my mind, which is why I'm asking for advice.

My train of thought was to have Plum micro-chipped anyway and now I am glad because the Vet had to cut his ring off last time as it was a little tight. If Tiki is not going anywhere else and you are his forever home then I would have it done. The thing is it enables you to identify him as yours should you ever need to. It didn't harm Plum having it done and he doesn't notice it.

BTW Plum, my RB2 seems to like to keep his beak trim by rubbing it on walls or floors, a large flat surface. If Tiki's beak is growing unusually quickly then please mention this to your AV on the next visit.

And as an expansion to my 'Good Friend' on the East Side of the Pond: As defined by Law, a Parrot is classified as Property! So, your only way to identify your property 'As Yours' is a specific form of identification. At present, the Micro Chip presents a clearly excepted form of Identification in all known Courts.

Mine were microchiped when I got them, as babies 14 and 15 years ago, and it was uneventful. They were at the vet for checkups anyway and already toweled by staff when it happened. Really no worse than routine blood-draw. They had no complications. I sleep better knowing they are permanently ID'd. Good luck at the vet.

Geeeeeeeeeeeeez... micro-chips were science-fiction when I got the Rbird in 1984.
So far, I've forgone it.
I hope I never regret it.
I'm glad to know about them, and y'alls experiences, though...

The problem I see with this is.
Long Term Studies.... So far there are None.
Cats and Dogs that live 20 years is one thing. A living being (animal or human) that can live 50-80 years no one knows what might happen.
Studies with mice and rats show about 10% rate of cancer around the implant.
I would not put one in myself, I would not put one in my child. and I would not put one in my bird.
I just though I should put an opposing view out there.
I will now take off my tin-foil hat,
texsize

It's a case of lesser evils weighing the positive against the negative as with everything in this life. If Jo Jo got out and someone scooped her up and said this is my bird and you have to go to court to prove it, how?

SailBoat said:

And as an expansion to my 'Good Friend' on the East Side of the Pond: As defined by Law, a Parrot is classified as Property! So, your only way to identify your property 'As Yours' is a specific form of identification. At present, the Micro Chip presents a clearly excepted form of Identification in all known Courts.

Click to expand...

Ah thanks, so glad I have one LOL

texsize said:

The problem I see with this is.
Long Term Studies.... So far there are None.
Cats and Dogs that live 20 years is one thing. A living being (animal or human) that can live 50-80 years no one knows what might happen.
Studies with mice and rats show about 10% rate of cancer around the implant.
I would not put one in myself, I would not put one in my child. and I would not put one in my bird.
I just though I should put an opposing view out there.
I will now take off my tin-foil hat,
texsize

Click to expand...

Texsize (even with the tinfoil hat removed) has great insight /concerns regarding such heath related issues. Texisixe's comments are especially true since a population of Parrots with Micro Chips has only recently become large enough to even follow. However, with all species that are today Micro Chipped only a very tiny part of that population is evaluated upon death to determine whether a formation, let alone a cancer has developed at or near the sight of the Micro Chip.

Mice and Rats have long been used for medical testing and although have provided valid test results especially when used to test generational effects and also dosage results, They do have their limitations. Their primary limitation and advantage is their short life span. Science has long known and have adjusted their models to take this reality into consideration. But...

At present, the chief concern is location and more importantly the size of the Parrot. Today, the majority of Avian Vets only set Micro Chips in Mid - Large Parrots. With smaller Parrots its more species by species determination by the Avian Vet with the size of the Micro Chip against the size of the Parrot being the finial definitions of whether the application is appropriate.

plumsmum2005 said:

SailBoat said:

And as an expansion to my 'Good Friend' on the East Side of the Pond: As defined by Law, a Parrot is classified as Property! So, your only way to identify your property 'As Yours' is a specific form of identification. At present, the Micro Chip presents a clearly excepted form of Identification in all known Courts.

Click to expand...

Ah thanks, so glad I have one LOL

Click to expand...

Geez! What am I, Lady? Chopped liver?!? Hahaha!

As for the chip, I've never done it for any of the birds I've had. It always seemed like a good idea, though... until 5 minutes ago when I read Texsize's post. Hmmm... never really considered that there would've been no long term testing done... and I definitely hadn't heard that some cancer risk had come up in mice! Definitely gives me pause.

Thanks for the opposing take, Texsize. Maybe you shouldn't take off your special hat just yet?

What about tatoos?

FOR THE BIRDS, I MEAN!

GaleriaGila said:

What about tatoos?

FOR THE BIRDS, I MEAN!

Click to expand...

Prior to DNA Sex Testing, the only way to determine the Sex of most Parrots as to preform a surgical evaluation (male /female). And, as part of the surgery, a very specific Tatoo was placed at the shoulder joint (right side for males and left side for females). The tatoo varied somewhat from Vet to Vet, but could be classified as 'non-discript.' Tatoo's are classified as an identification mark. However, the Owner would need to have taken photos and had placed them into the file of their Parrot with the Vet prior to a legal need. Also, the Vet's files would have to incorporate the date and time, etc...

The skin of a Parrot is very thin and someone not aware of that could cause more of a problem than help! Same photo requirements as above.

Anansi said:

plumsmum2005 said:

SailBoat said:

And as an expansion to my 'Good Friend' on the East Side of the Pond: As defined by Law, a Parrot is classified as Property! So, your only way to identify your property 'As Yours' is a specific form of identification. At present, the Micro Chip presents a clearly excepted form of Identification in all known Courts.

Click to expand...

Ah thanks, so glad I have one LOL

Click to expand...

Geez! What am I, Lady? Chopped liver?!? Hahaha!

As for the chip, I've never done it for any of the birds I've had. It always seemed like a good idea, though... until 5 minutes ago when I read Texsize's post. Hmmm... never really considered that there would've been no long term testing done... and I definitely hadn't heard that some cancer risk had come up in mice! Definitely gives me pause.

Thanks for the opposing take, Texsize. Maybe you shouldn't take off your special hat just yet?

Click to expand...

Shush, you've let the cat out of the bag now LOL

Oh Ok I have two, off to celebrate now LOL