Microchips are very small, so they don't cause lasting pain and the procedure doesn't require anaesthesia. Some people choose to implant microchips into their dogs when spaying or neutering so that their dogs are anesthetised. So, if you're worried about any pain, you can get both procedures done at the same time.
I've seen lots of microchips placed and the pain is like an injection – instantaneous, brief and generally quite very minor. However, it is possible that one pet be more sensitive to it than others. Some dogs will be tired or a little sore after their vaccines.
Because some dogs are sensitive to needles, many owners opt to have a microchip inserted while the pet is already under anesthesia to be spayed or neutered. There's no healing time associated with a microchip insertion, and the microchip begins working as soon as it's implanted.
Microchipping dogs is considered very safe. As with any medical procedure, there is always a risk of side effects. These include: Swelling at the site of the injection (temporary)
Will microchipping harm my cat? The procedure to microchip your cat is quick and painless – in fact, it is no more painful to your cat than getting an injection. There is no need for 'recovery' from the procedure and it won't cause your cat any discomfort or pain – in fact, they're unlikely to know it is even there.
Microchips are tiny, internal and durable, making them nearly impossible to damage or remove. They are designed to last and function during any circumstances. In very rare cases, severe trauma to the pet can damage the pet's microchip or your pet's body may reject the microchip after implanted.
Most of the time, you can't feel your dog's microchip because it is the size of a grain of rice. If you can feel the microchip in a dog, don't panic. Your dog probably doesn't notice. The best way to confirm the presence of a chip is to have the dog scanned using a microchip scanner at a vet or shelter.
At What Age can Dogs and Cats Receive a Microchip? Microchips can be safely implanted when your pet is seven to eight weeks old.
The types of adverse reaction reported include migration or loss, failure to work, and reaction at the injection site such as swelling and infection, where migration being the most reported [16, 17]. The two cases in this report were presented with acute onset of paresis following inappropriate microchip implantation.
Keep implant site clean and dry - no baths for 24 hours. No topical solutions for one week after implantation (i.e. flea and tick treatment). Have chip scanned at each annual visit to a veterinarian. Future vaccinations should be done in a different area than the chip implantation area.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Animals shelter officials housing lost pets that had been implanted with a microchip were able to find the owners in almost three out of four cases in a recently published national study.
(A) Vet Roberta Baxter says: It is not normal to get a swelling at the site of a microchip implantation, but it does occasionally happen. It may be associated with inflammation alone, meaning it will go down over a one to two week period with no adverse effects and without treatment.
Sensitive pets may be slightly itchy, irritated, or sore at the injection site, but this is usually short-lived. Infection, hair loss, microchip failure, or tumor formation are rare, but possible, adverse effects.
Common Vaccine Reactions in Dogs
Most dogs are back to their normal selves within a day or two. However, if your dog has more severe or prolonged soreness or lethargy, or just seems “off,” give us a call—we may be able to prescribe medications that will help your pup feel better.
There may be a small amount of bleeding. If you see a drop of fresh blood hold a clean piece of paper towel or cloth against the area for a few minutes until the bleeding stops. If you see dried blood on the skin or fur in the days following the microchip insertion, leave the area untouched so it can scab and heal.
The best time to microchip your pet is when it is spayed or neutered and will be asleep for the needle placement. However, microchipping is routinely done in patients when they are awake and they experience no more than minor discomfort from the needle.
We recommend not bathing or getting your pet wet for about a week after the microchip is administered, so please plan your bath time accordingly. A microchip is a small, permanent identification chip about the size of a grain of rice. It is injected with a sterile needle under the skin between the shoulder blades.
The procedure for microchipping is normally quick and easy, you will most likely be in and out within 10 minutes of your appointment!
The chip will last for over 25 years, which is well beyond the lifespan of all but the most exceptional hounds.
Connect the PetScanner to your phone and click the green scan icon in the top left corner in the app. You will hear short beeps when you are close to a microchip and a longer beep when it has been detected!
In most cases, microchips either can't be safely removed from a dog, or your local vet won't be willing to perform this procedure. Due to the size of the microchip and the invasiveness of finding and removing it from your dog, the procedure itself poses a far greater risk of complications than the microchip itself.
Like most things computer-related, a microchip is an utterly tiny thing too. It has the same circumference and length as a small grain of rice. Administered with a hypodermic needle, the chip may create a feeling of a tiny narrow lump under the dog's thin skin.
Average cost for dog microchipping
In the UK you can expect to pay anywhere between £9 and £20, depending on where you live. On average, however, the costs are in the region of £14.50. This initial fee pays for the implantation of the microchip and initial registration.