Micro chipping

[deerhound]

I want to get my tortoise chipped incase he ever manages to get out or even stolen. He is now 6 inches so big enough. Might sound like really silly questions but where do they put the chip ? . Does it hurt them ?.

[SuBo]

Originally Posted by deerhound

I want to get my tortoise chipped incase he ever manages to get out or even stolen. He is now 6 inches so big enough. Might sound like really silly questions but where do they put the chip ? . Does it hurt them ?.

In the back leg. Yes it hurts as they do withdraw their legs quickly and some will sulk for days. I had one that ran around like mad for some time afterwards (a sign of pain) and a male that was put off mating for some time so obviously did not feel happy. Also had one that bled like hell (and yes it was done by a reptile vet). I don't like it to be honest, but it has to be done for breeding purposes. When you think of the size of the chip it's llike shoving something considerable larger in your own leg The smaller the tortoise, the more invasive I would say. They can also migrate to other parts of the body, any guess where exactly.

[annsimpson1]

both my adult spurs were done and admitidley were a lot bigger but neither showed any signs of being bothered, not fighting the vet, no bleeding and eating straight away after so I think its important to wait untill the tort is big, unless theres a hurry to get it done ie breeding or selling then I'd wait untill its fully grown.

[deerhound]

I think im going to wait until he is bigger then . I would be tempted in a good few years time to get a female and try breeding but that will take alot more thought. He is a bells so dont need certs.

[purplepixie]

Personally I dont micro chip unless for breeding purposes, as I have to then to get paperwork for hatchlings. But I dont like putting objects into my tortoises if I dont have too.