TATTOOS- CLAMPS VS. GUNS?? - Page 1

We're looking to get our youngest GSD tattooed in his ear with his ID number and are wondering what people think with regards to the ear clamp or using the tattoo gun?  We had our two oldest GSDs done by a vet back in Chicago when we lived there with a tattoo gun, but I can't find anyone in Colorado that uses that tattoo gun.  Just trying to do some research about the pros/cons of the clamp vs. the gun.  If anyone has any referrals for tattooers in Colorado and which method (clamp vs. gun) they use I would like to hear about that too.

Any thoughts or insight is greatly appreciated!!

Thanks-
 

I use a clamp, it is hard to tamper with this kind of tattoo.

Margaret N-J

Any particular reason you want a tattoo?  All mine are microchipped.  I have one dog here that I got as an older animal that has a tattoo in his ear....can't even read it.

I second Xeph. Microchips are so much more reliable, quicker to put in, and never "fade."
vonrivera

​*edited to add signature*
 

I prefer both tat and chip.  I microchip ALL my pets (dogs or otherwise) but I do like the tattoo for shows and trials.  Saves me having to bring a reader.  This thread reminded me I've got to find someone to tattoo my new puppy...  I've never seen someone use a gun for an ear tattoo, just the clamps.  Just one pinch and done.  My shelter reject does have a green line tattooed on her belly to mark her spayed and I assume that was done with a gun but it's no proof of ID.

Yes, I would tattoo and chip, personally

Dog-tattooes made with the machines are old-school..
"ID pet", "Tattoo-a-Pet" and NDR used to register the tattooes...

I haven't seen that done in years..  and not in an ear, they did it on the inside of the thigh.
Animal shelters/pounds also used to ID the pets they adopted out that way. 
The animals were usually already out for spay/neuter.. so it was easy to do.

If you want an ear tattoo, you'll have to locate a good set of tattoo pliers..  and have it done.
The ear is very sensitive..  pliers will get it done quick.. a machine would be really inhumane..  (and the dog would NOT sit still for it either)

I don't recommend this procedure on anything but a smaller puppy.. 

Where are you in Colorado?  Why the need for the tattoo?? 

I am pretty sure I can find people here (in Colorado) with the pliers.. (the good one is from germany).. but I would imagine you'll have to have the other kind done by a vet when your animal is already out for something else (spay/neuter, teeth cleaning, xrays, etc). Especially if its an older puppy/adult.




 

Depends on how old the your dog is....very young puppy ears handle tattooing with the clamp method well without it having an adverse effect on the cartilage, but once they're older, there's concern that the clamp could compromise the cartilage in the ear and interfere with it remaining erect.  Additionally, under SV rules, tattooing can only be done without anesthesia if the pup is less than 13 weeks of age--any older, and it must be done using anesthesia no matter which method is used.

I had my namesake female, Hexe, tattooed at the age of 2 yrs, with the tattoo pen [because that's what my boss had in the clinic] while she was under general anesthesia having her hip & elbow
x-rays. It remained clear and legible throughout her lifetime of nearly 15 years.  I don't know that I would have risked having the cartilage disturbed with the tatoo clamp, but fortunately I didn't have to even consider that issue.

Clamp has always worked well for me. Quick and easy. Ear is best location. Chips are good if you can read them. I've been to enough shows to know they migrate in the dog and often become unreadable.

Thanks everyone.

All 3 of our guys are microchipped, but we like the tattoos for 2 reasons, 1) it's another form of permanent ID on them and 2) we find it easier for trialing.  We're in the Denver area and haven't found any vets in the area that have a tattoo gun, although I'm still checking around.  Our puppy is coming up on 6 months old.  I don't know anyone personally that has used the clamp, so that is why I'm inquiring.  I heard it can be hard on the cartilage and I certainly wouldn't want an ear to drop because of it or result in any other issues.  We had our vet back in Chicago do the tattoos on our 2 older guys under anesthesia during their hip/elbow xrays so they wouldn't move during it.  She only uses the tattoo gun because she finds that they are easier to read and they last longer. They came out great, no residual ear issues and haven't faded at all.