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Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · Vaccination and Preventive Care

Microchip

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˈmaɪkrəʊtʃɪp/nounCore term

In veterinary medicine, microchip means: A tiny electronic chip, about the size of a grain of rice, placed under an animal's skin. A scanner reads its unique number, which links the animal to its owner in a database.

In Turkish: mikroçip

How it is used

Also a verb: the puppy was microchipped. Vets implant the chip, usually between the shoulder blades in dogs and cats, scan found animals for a chip and remind owners to keep their details up to date.

Example sentences

  1. Someone brought in a lost cat, and the microchip led us straight to the owner.

  2. We'll microchip her at the same visit as her second vaccination.

Common collocations

  • implant a microchip
  • scan for a microchip
  • microchip number
  • microchip database
  • get a puppy microchipped
  • rabiesA viral disease of the nervous system that spreads mainly through bites from infected animals. Once clinical signs appear, it is almost always fatal in animals and people.
  • vaccinationGiving an animal a vaccine, usually by injection or into the nose, to train its immune system to protect it against a specific infectious disease.
  • companion animalAn animal kept mainly for company rather than for food, work or profit, such as a dog, cat, rabbit or pet bird. It is a more formal word for pet.
  • subcutaneousUnder the skin. Used for injections, fluids and implants placed in the tissue just below the skin, and for lumps found there.

More terms: Vaccination and Preventive Care

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.