Microchip reader performance

WSAVA guideline

Key findings

• True ISO chip definition: 64-bit content → 15-digit numeric ID, first 3 digits a manufacturer's or country code, FDX-B at 134.2 kHz (ISO 11784/11785) ("Microchip FAQs").
• US 125 kHz problem: HomeAgain (Digital Angel) is 48-bit, 10-character alphanumeric without manufacturer's code, FDX-A at 125 kHz (as is the AVID Eurochip); AVID Friendchip 125 kHz with an encrypted 10-character number — none meet ISO; both makers produce ISO chips for non-US markets ("Microchip FAQs").
• Country vs manufacturer codes: a country code applies where a country has a single central database; otherwise an ICAR manufacturer code, always beginning with 9 (uniqueness under ICAR's code of conduct) ("Microchip FAQs").
• Annex A is dead: ISO 11785 Annex A was a 2-year transition (from the 1996 first edition, expiring 1998) covering Destron, Datamars and Trovan technologies; since lapsed, "Annex A microchips are not true ISO standard microchips" ("Microchip FAQs").
• Scanning technique: begin at the standard site for species + locale; if not found, scan in slowly expanding concentric circles (some manufacturers recommend a figure-eight); keep the reader touching/brushing the fur; rock it side to side to mitigate chip-orientation effects ("Enhancing Reader Performance").
• Negative-chip rule: scan ≥10 seconds (longer if possible) on two consecutive occasions before declaring an animal chip-negative; if possible repeat with a different reader; scan all recognised implantation sites.
• Interference control: shelters/clinics are "hostile environments" (computer terminals, fluorescent lights, steel tables) — keep ≥1 metre (3 feet) from electronics, ideally no scanning on stainless-steel tables, remove metal collars first.
• Hardware maintenance: keep batteries fully charged; check read rate/range frequently with a non-implanted chip; never use a reader of doubtful performance.
• Annual check: all implanted animals should be scanned annually for function and location.

Recommendations

• Reader must be forward/backward-compatible with local protocols (ISO 134.2 kHz; 125 kHz legacy where relevant)

  "Ensure that the reader in use is compatible…"

• Begin scanning at the standardised site for species and locale; expand outward if not found

  Stated workflow

• Scan in expanding concentric circles (or figure-eight), reader brushing the fur, rocked side to side

  "should… be done in slowly expanding concentric circles"

• Declare negative only after ≥10 s on two consecutive occasions, ideally with a different reader, covering all recognised sites

  "a minimum of 10 seconds… on two consecutive occasions"

• Keep ≥1 m (3 ft) from electronics; avoid stainless-steel tables; remove metal collars

  "Try to maintain a distance of at least one meter"

• Batteries fully charged; test read rate/range with a non-implanted chip; never use a suspect reader

  "Check the reader's performance frequently"

• Scan every implanted animal annually to confirm chip function and location ("check the chip")

  "should be scanned annually"

• Prefer true ISO chips (15-digit, 134.2 kHz FDX-B); Annex A chips no longer qualify; ICAR 9xx manufacturer or central-database country codes

  ISO/ICAR rules stated as fact of the standards

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