Mae adnabod anifeiliaid hefyd yn ddull hanfodol ar gyfer rheoli clefydau mewn modd effeithiol. Yn achos cŵn, a sawl anifail arall, gall fod o gymorth wrth olrhain cyflyrau a gaiff eu hetifeddu. Er enghraifft, mae’n aml yn anodd iawn olrhain hanes teulu o gŵn bach, ac yn enwedig os cant eu gwerthu drwy werthwyr anifeiliaid a siopau anifeiliaid anwes. Mae camau’n cael eu cymryd er mwyn ceisio mynd i’r afael â’r problemau iechyd hyn, ond byddai lawer yn haws i adrodd ynghylch problemau iechyd a gaiff eu hetifeddu ac i fesur cynnydd petai gan bob ci ficrosglodyn unigryw.
Identification of animals is also an essential tool in effective disease control.  For dogs, as with other animals, it could also be helpful in tracing inherited conditions. At present, for example, it is often difficult to trace the history of a litter of puppies especially if they have been sold via animal dealers and pet shops. Efforts are being made to tackle these health problems, but reporting hereditary health problems and measuring progress would be much easier if all dogs were uniquely identified with a microchip.