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Gila Monsters and Microchipping

Willis Wildlife Enterprises

Willis Wildlife Enterprises

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I'm a certified veterinary technician working for a veterinarian that does NOT do exotics unless it is for a friend or relative. He has a new friend that has a permit for and keeps a great many hots, including 10 gila monsters. He has been microchipping all of the herps in his collection but is having trouble with the gila monsters...it seems that even the large gauge needle for the microchip is unable to penetrate the skin of a gila monster. He has asked for our help and I'm passing this request on to anyone here that may have some advice. We're assuming this person has only tried to insert the chip someplace along the dorsal surface and are wondering if along the sides or even the belly might be a better option. Also, the owner has said that he will hold the gila monsters while we do this procedure, but what other sort of precautions would you recommend the vet and I (if I even decide to help with this as working with hots is not my idea of fun) take to minimize or totally eliminate any risk.

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
What it the reason for microchipping them in the first place? Is this vet in Brooksville? I didn't know there was a herp vet in Brooksville. There is a good one over in Tampa. There really is no reason to chip them in the first place.
 
He isn't a herp vet, which is why I'm asking for help. The owner has asked this vet to help him as a favor because they are friends. There are very good reasons to microchip, such as for identification purposes in case they got lost or stolen. Since the state of Florida is requiring certain reptiles to be micro-chipped so that when they turn up in someone's backyard munching on a Chihuahua, they know who to arrest, I'm sure he figured he might as well do the rest of his collection.
 
Gila monsters are not the easiest thing for someone to sell that has stolen them from someone, especially if they don't have a venomous permit. they are not required to be chipped, so I think he is wasting his time and money. But, if he insists on doing it, here is where I would go, Florida Veterinary Specialists - Tampa, they are one of the few that would probably help you. Give them a call and if they say they won't help you then let me know and I will give you another name. This one is closer to you then the other, and probably better.
 
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