Microchipping a dog involves injecting a small encoded chip under the skin of the pet so that if he is lost, a scanner will be able to read the information on the chip and return him to his owner. A microchip is better than a collar, because it cannot be lost, and better than a tattoo, because it cannot fade and is less painful.
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Microchip Administration
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Microchipping is generally done by a licensed veterinarian, though any animal professional can administer the injection. Microchipping kits are not available for purchase by the general public.
Microchip Injection
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Your veterinary professional will place the microchip into a large syringe-looking device and inject it deep under the loose skin at the shoulder blades, much like a vaccine. After the initial discomfort of the injection, the dog will not be able to feel the chip.
Side Effects
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Immediately after the injection, the dog will experience mild discomfort at the injection site, much like after receiving a vaccine. Occasionally, a localized infection may occur, but this is rare and is easily treated by a veterinarian.
About Microchips
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Make sure the microchip system your veterinarian uses is the same one that your local animal shelter is using, because some readers are not compatible with some chips. This is generally not much of a problem for newer readers, though some shelters may still be using an older device.
Complications
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Tumors have developed in some dogs that have received a microchip, though there is no definitive link between the chip and the development of tumors.
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