Safety of Microchip Implants

Microchips have been reuniting pets with their families for many years.

Microchipping is a great way to identify pets and reunite them with their owners should they become lost. However, there have been reports that microchip implants may be unsafe for use in companion animals. Understanding the health implications of microchip implants is a must for all pet owners.

Identification

Microchipping is a procedure where a microchip the size of a grain of rice is implanted into the pet's subcutaneous tissues using a hypodermic needle. When activated with a scanner, microchip implants transmit a unique identification number that helps track the pet to its owner.

Considerations

Only veterinarians should implant microchips, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The improper implantation by a well-meaning pet owner may cause the microchip to be placed in the spinal canal instead of under the skin, causing serious life-threatening neurological problems.

Complications

The most common complication of microchipping is swelling or infection at the site of the injection, says California veterinarian Eric Barchas.

Risks

The biggest concern pet owners may have is the link between microchips and cancer. Two out of four million microchipped dogs developed cancer, but the cause was undetermined.

Expert Insight

Two out of four million dogs is a very low number, says Barchas, and the benefits of implanting microchips outweigh the risks. According to Pet Place, the chances of a pet being euthanized because it cannot be identified are higher than a pet developing cancer.

References

• American Veterinary Medical Association: Microchipping of Animals
• Dogster: Do Microchips Cause Cancer?
• Pet Place: Do Microchips Cause Cancer?