As with any procedure, side effects can occur. Although exceedingly rare, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association has logged 391 adverse reactions to microchipping out of more than 4 million cases.
Microchip dog side effects include:
Pain
The pain associated with microchipping is minimal and is considered no worse than a vaccination or blood draw. A local anesthetic can be used to minimize the pain, or microchipping can be performed while the dog is already under anesthesia, such as for neuter surgery.
Microchip Migration
The most commonly reported side effect of microchipping is migration. Since the microchip is injected under the skin, it can potentially move anywhere along the dog’s body, such as leg or tail.
Hair Loss
In rare cases, hair loss at the injection site was reported.
Infection
As with any invasive procedure, the infection can occur. However, microchipping in a sterile environment with all necessary precautions will minimize this risk.
Swelling
Another potential microchip dog side effect is swelling at the injection site.
Microchip Failure
While rare, microchips may sometimes fail. For this reason, it is important to have your dog’s microchip periodically checked to ensure it is still in working order.
Tumor Formation
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, tumors in two cats and two dogs have been reported with potential links to microchips.
Is it Safe to Microchip My Dog?
Although side effects can occur, it is important to note that the instances of adverse reactions are excessively rare – less than .01%. Microchipping is, therefore, an extremely safe way to provide your dog a permanent form of identification.
