Our Services
- Collecting, Freezing & Storing Canine Semen
- Chilled Semen Collections
- Artificial Insemination, Trans Cervical Insemination, Surgical Insemination
- Progesterone Timing
- OFA Radiographs
- PennHIP Radiographs
- Ultrasound to Confirm Pregnancy
- WhelpWise™ & Veterinary Perinatal Services
- HomeAgain™ Microchips
- AKC DNA Testing
Microchiping
Permanent ID is essential for your pet’s recovery should you and your pets ever become separated. A collar tag is a great form of secondary ID and many pets have been recovered through their tags. However, should your pet lose his or her collar or tag, having a microchip in place can increase your pet’s chance of returning home.
A microchip is a permanent form of ID about the size of a grain of rice. When a hand-held scanner passes over the microchip, it reads the unique encoded number. This ID number is the only information stored on the microchip. The microchip is not a tracking device. The owner’s name, telephone number and other vital information is stored in the Home Again central database. The owner information is only on record with Home Again if the owner sends in their registration form.
Currently, all shelters in the Denver Metro Area are scanning all animals they receive to aid in identification of these pets and return them to their owners as soon as possible. When an animal is found and scanned, the microchip number is checked against the national registry to determine who it belongs to and then the owner is contacted. If for some reason the owner information is not in the database, the microchip can also be traced back through the manufacturer to find out what clinic or shelter the chip was originally sold to for implantation. Through the client records, the owner can then be found.
Brighton Animal Clinic and ICSB-CO uses the HomeAgain® microchip. The procedure for implanting a microchip is similar to an injection and is virtually painless. The procedure can either be performed at our clinic. You can get more information on both the HomeAgain® Microchip by using the FORMS & LINKS dropdown menu above.
DNA Testing
As of October 1, 1998, The American Kennel Club (AKC) requires that any dog, whose semen is frozen for storage or collected and used as fresh chilled semen, must have a DNA profile on record at AKC. Additionally, any dog that sires more than 3 litters a year must have a DNA profile on record for the Frequent Use Sire program. For more information, please use the FORMS & LINKS dropdown menu above and click on the link for the American Kennel Club.
DNA testing can be done at our facility or by the owner at home. DNA testing is simple and painless. The DNA sample is collected via a swab of the cheek. The sample is then mailed to AKC for processing and a DNA profile is mailed to the owner. This form of ID is not as easily accessible to the public, but is absolutely permanent. The courts of justice have accepted the use of DNA ID many times. You can also prove paternity through DNA testing.