Homeagain Equine Frequently Asked Questions

HomeAgain Thermochip microchips are designed to monitor a horse’s individual range to assist in identifying variation in temperature from an individual’s baseline readings. Temperature readings from different sites should not be interpreted interchangeably with rectal temperature range. The best approach is to understand an individual’s reference range for a particular site.

When implanted into horses, HomeAgain Thermochip provides accurate temperature readings, allowing temperature monitoring which is safe, quick and accurate. This method of temperature monitoring allows identification of an individual horse’s temperature range, based upon the time of day and site of measurement, so that variations outside of this range can be quickly identified^15,16.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the accuracy of the temperature-sensing identification microchip and look at comparisons versus rectal measurements.¹⁵

The trial consisted of 40 foals, all implanted with HomeAgain Thermochip, housed outdoors over 2 winters. A total of 100,000 microchip temperature readings were taken, with simultaneous rectal temperatures taken from 26 of the foals, resulting in 79 measurements. Mean microchip temperature readings were 37.5^oC +/- 0.1^oC. Temperature variations were seen with time of day.

The authors concluded the data collected from the temperature microchips was accurate, demonstrating natural changes throughout the day and seasons. Non-contact monitoring of temperature allowed frequent measurements with no stress from handling and less risk to a handler.

A study conducted with 39 mares over 2 foaling seasons recorded temperature every 2 hours from 5 days before the foaling due date until 6 hours after parturition. The mean daily temperature decreased by 0.3 ^oC twenty-four hours before foaling, alongside an absence of the normal 1 ^oC circadian daily variation in temperature on foaling days.¹⁷

Foaling could be detected 12 hours in advance with a 96.6% sensitivity and 95% specificity.¹⁷ Therefore, microchip temperature monitoring can provide a non-contact and stress-free way to aid in predicting foaling.

HomeAgain Thermochip is a new generation of identification microchip, with an integrated temperature biosensor. This enables a horse’s temperature and identification number to be read simultaneously using a compatible reader.

•  Thermochip enables the monitoring of an animal’s individual temperature at the implantation site between 33°C and 43°C.

•  Thermochip is an ICAR(1)-certified identification microchip which is passive, inert, biocompatible and stores a unique 15-digit ISO identification microchip.

HomeAgain Thermochip has a pair of transistors built into the chip integrated circuit. The transistors’ junction voltages are proportional to the temperature, and this is what allows the microchip to produce an output signal that is proportional to temperature. This signal is further converted to a digital value. The SureSense^® reader and Global Pocket Reader^® Plus read the HomeAgain Thermochip and convert the digital value to its corresponding temperature value.

How HomeAgain Thermochip microchips and readers work together

A HomeAgain Thermochip's microchip number can be read by all ISO microchip readers, just as for any other microchip. We recommend using the SureSense reader or the Global Pocket Reader Plus (GPR+) reader to read the temperature value of HomeAgain Thermochip.

We can ensure the reliability of the temperature value transmitted by HomeAgain Thermochip with our readers SureSense and GPR+. We don’t know how other readers could interpret the signal sent by HomeAgain Thermochip and therefore we cannot ensure the reliability of the temperature data that other readers may be displaying.

No, HomeAgain Thermochip is a passive and inert identification microchip which stores a unique and locked 15-digit identification number. HomeAgain Thermochip is a certified and ISO compliant identification microchip. It has no battery and no other internal power source. The identification number and the horse’s temperature can be read scanning with an a compatible reader such as the SureSense Universal Microchip Reader or the Global Pocket Reader Plus (GPR+).

Classic digital thermometers use an external probe which encapsulates the electronic heat sensors to capture body temperature measurements directly. It is necessary to calibrate a classic digital thermometer as the accuracy can drift over time for various reasons such as mechanical shock.

HomeAgain Thermochip uses a different temperature measurement technology as the temperature biosensor is fully integrated in the microprocessor of the bioglass-encapsulated microchip, thus protecting the device from mechanical shock.

The microchip is a standard-sized identification microchip - having the size of 2.12 mm in diameter and 13 mm in length.

Double microchipping is not recommended for regulatory and traceability reasons. Two microchips implanted in the same animal at close distance would bring interferences during the reading, thus resulting in microchip reading failure. 

HomeAgain Thermochip uses a built-in temperature biosensor which is integrated into the circuit of the microchip, thus allowing to read and collect the microchip number AND the animal’s temperature simultaneously. Since the temperature sensor is fully integrated into the integrated circuit’s RFID signal, it is not feasible to make it work without being associated with a unique identification number.

HomeAgain Thermochip displays the animal’s temperature at the implantation site. In pet animals, HomeAgain Thermochip is placed subcutaneously. Any factor that can influence subcutaneous temperature, will have an impact on the HomeAgain Thermochip temperature. Both freezing weather and a thermic blanket (in contact with the skin above the HomeAgain Thermochip) may have an impact on the HomeAgain Thermochip temperature value. This is another reason why it is recommended to study temperature variations with HomeAgain Thermochip, and not the value itself.

For horses, the implantation of HomeAgain Thermochip is deeper leading to a lower impact of the external temperature on the HomeAgain Thermochip temperature.

GPS or 5G feature would require a battery while HomeAgain Thermochip is a passive and inert device. This would lead to a totally different product and result in a limited lifetime (or the need to recharge battery), increased size and weight.

HomeAgain Thermochip is primarily an identification microchip for companion animals compliant with the ISO 11785 standard using the FDX B reading technology. As a passive radio-frequency identification tag operating at the low frequency of 134.2 kHz, readers will work at close proximity, with a read range of up to 10 cm on average.

An increased read range can be observed (up to 20 cm) but would only rely on the position of the microchip in the animal AND on the performance/quality of the reader used.

All HomeAgain microchips are coated in parylene, a transparent, inert, biocompatible substance, applied to the surface of the bioglass-encapsulated identification microchip at the end stage of the manufacturing process. Parylene exerts cell adhesion properties with surrounding tissues, favouring tissue adhesion¹⁰.