Microchip identification in non-companion species

WSAVA guideline

Key findings

• Left-side default: bilaterally symmetrical species on the left; males left/females right if sexing aid ("Recommended implantation sites in other species").
• Equine — regional split: nuchal ligament, middle third (halfway between ears and withers) everywhere except Australia; Australia: musculature of the left neck / anterior injection triangle with clipping, local anaesthetic and asepsis; two sites → scan both ("Equine").
• Livestock: base of the left ear on the scutiform cartilage, subcutaneous; implanted food-producing animals should carry an external identifier (chip recovered at slaughter); local trade/government rules must govern use ("Agricultural Animals").
• Named mammals: elephants — left tail, main caudal fold; hyrax/loris — left intralumbar area; alpacas (Australia) — SC midway on left neck / top of head behind left ear [wording ambiguous; verify].
• Mammal size rule: length >17 cm spine-to-shoulder-blade → SC base of left ear; <17 cm → between the shoulder blades ("Mammals").
• Amphibians: implanted into the lymphatic cavity; seal with tissue glue.
• Birds — weight rule: ≥5.5 kg and/or long-legged → subcutaneous base of neck; <5.5 kg → IM left pectoral muscle, implanter directed caudal (downward); seal with tissue glue + pressure/suture. Exceptions: ratites ≤4 days — piping muscle behind the head on the left; older ratites subcutaneous left thigh; emu dorsal midline s/c lump (Australia); penguins/vultures base of neck ("Avians").
• Fish — length rule: >30 cm → left side, anterior base of dorsal fin; <30 cm → coelomic cavity ("Fish").
• Reptiles: chelonians — left hind limb socket (SC small; IM large/thin-skinned; tissue glue; hibernators implanted several weeks before the end of the active season); crocodilians — SC anterior to the nuchal cluster; lizards — >12.5 cm SVL SC left inguinal, <12.5 cm intracoelomic; snakes — SC left neck, twice the head length from the nose tip ("Reptiles").
• Special-application sites: caged primates — IM back of right forearm (read as animal grips bars); big cats — shoulder region (read brushing bars); only where the animal stays in one facility, all operators informed ("Note").

Recommendations

• Implant bilaterally symmetrical species on the left side (males left/females right if sexing aid)

  "should be implanted on the left side"

• Horses: nuchal ligament middle third (all but Australia); Australian left-neck site needs clipping + LA + asepsis

  "recommended implantation site" (Subcommittee)

• Livestock: left-ear base, scutiform cartilage; external identifier for slaughter recovery; obey local rules

  "strongly recommended" / "must govern the use"

• Size-triggered sites: mammals >/<17 cm; birds ≥/<5.5 kg; fish >/<30 cm; lizards >/<12.5 cm SVL

  "recommended implantation site(s)"

• Snakes: left neck, 2 head-lengths from nose; chelonians: left hind-limb socket, glued, pre-hibernation timing

  "should be implanted"

• Special sites (primate right forearm IM; big-cat shoulder) only for single-facility animals

  "should only be used in animals which… will stay in one facility"

• Aseptic technique for every implantation; local anaesthetic at clinician's discretion

  "recommended" / "up to the individual veterinarian"

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