Can Microchips in Dogs Be Removed?

Microchips are injected under the skin of dogs and other pets, including cats and horses, like a routine vaccine for identification purposes. Lost pets brought into veterinary offices and animal shelters can be scanned for the microchip, and once identified they can be returned to their owners. Microchips are intended to be permanent, but they can be removed, although it is often not advised.

  1. Reasons Pet Owners Consider Microchip Removal

    • Some pet owners consider removing their dog's microchips for a variety of reasons. The most common reason is over the concern that microchips can cause cancer. This is based mostly on reports of mice and rats developing cancer when implanted with microchips. However, the rats and mice were already being used for cancer testing and were of strains more likely to develop cancer.

    Reasons to Keep Your Dog Microchipped

    • The pros of keeping your dog's microchip in place far outweigh the cons for most owners. Removing a dog's microchip is far more complex than implanting one. And while collars, harnesses and tags an be chewed or torn off, a microchip is permanent, ensuring that should your dog get lost, its chances of being returned are far greater.

    Microchip Removal Process

    • A microchip must be removed by a licensed veterinarian. A microchip is usually implanted in the subcutaneous tissue between the shoulder blades. The microchip will need to be located with a scanner or an X-ray. The dog will need to be anesthetized and the veterinarian will need to make an incision through the skin and tissue to the microchip to remove it.

    Healing Process

    • Once the microchip is removed, the site of the incision will need to be kept clean and carefully monitored for signs of infection.