What should I do if my dog has lump on back where microchip was inserted? You need to get it checked out if it doesn’t go away on its own. Here’s why.
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Although Your dog moves around here and there in your house or cuddles you like a human, he lacks one ability that we all possess, i.e., he cannot find his way back home and may get lost somewhere.
Don’t think that it cannot happen with your dog. It’s estimated that nearly 8 million dogs end up in animal shelters every year. Well, the solution is quite simple: You can microchip your furry friend so that if he gets lost, either animal shelter or Veterinarian can safely return your pet dog.
Nowadays, most veterinary doctors recommend microchipping your dog. It has become a law to microchip every dog in England, Scotland, and Ireland. But inserting a microchip can sometimes cause a lump on the back of your dog. The lump is nearly the size of a rice grain.
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There can be quite a few reasons for this small lump on the microchipped area. For instance, your dog can have a lump because of a severe infection or inflammation.
Sometimes the lump can be because of a tumor. So if the lump near the microchipped area on your dog does not disappear within one or two months, then it’s better to take him to a veterinary doctor. I will discuss various questions related to microchip insertion on a dog in the article below..
What Is a Dog Microchip?
A dog microchip is a Radio Frequency Identification Device that provides a permanent ID to your pet dog. The chip is usually inserted between the shoulder blades and is scanned to identify your dog when stolen or lost.
How Much Do Microchips Cost?
These microchips are 12 mm long and nearly about the size of the grain. If you take your dog to the veterinary doctor to microchip dog, it will cost just $50.
However, if you decide to microchip your dog in an animal shelter or any rescue group, the cost will probably be lower. But try to carry out the microchip procedure by a good veterinary doctor to place the chip in the correct position, and the scanner can read it.
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How Long Do Microchips Stay In Place?
Close to 25 years.
Luckily these microchips are very easy to insert and take only a few seconds to insert. Your dog does not even need anesthesia for inserting a microchip. These microchips will last for nearly 25 years- that means they will stay with your pet dog lifetime.
Can You Track a Microchip?
No, microchips are not for tracking.
Many people think that microchipping their pets will help in tracking. But no microchips don’t help you in tracking. However, it will help you reunite with your dog if he goes missing.
The person who finds your dog needs to take him to the veterinary doctor or animal shelter, where the microchip will be scanned to find the owner.
What Are The Reasons For Developing A Lump At The Microchipped Area Of Your Dog?
Microchip insertion is quite helpful because it helps you find your lost dog. But it has some side effects like a lump may develop at the site where the microchip is inserted. There are various possible reasons:
#1. Inflammation
The inflammation can occur because of inserting a foreign object inside your dog’s body and may develop into a lump. The lump will go away within several weeks and has adverse side effects. So you don’t have to worry about it.
#2. Ejection Of Gel
A gel is usually inserted during the process of inserting a microchip. It helps in keeping the microchip in its proper place. But sometimes, the gel can collect in a specific area, leading to a lump. However, it will disappear with time. So, you don’t need to worry about it.
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#3.Seroma
Sometimes a lump is seen on the microchip site because of a Seroma. Seroma accumulates plasma that looks like a balloon bump filled with fluid. However, they are not painful, and the lump disappears with time.
#4. Hematoma
Sometimes, during inserting microchips, the blood vessels can burst and may cause blood-filled blisters in your dog. You should take your dog to the veterinary doctor to treat Hematoma. The doctor may drain the blood. But sometimes, draining is the perfect solution, and another lump may develop at the microchip site.
#5. Tumors
Sometimes your dog can have a lump because of a tumor, and it will grow with time. Your dog will develop abnormal behavior because of the tumor. The exact reason for developing a tumor is still unknown but is rarely seen in dogs.
#6. Infection
Your dog can have an infection during the process of microchip insertion and may develop a lump or abscesses. They are very painful as they contain blood and pus and even can rupture. You need to take your dog to a veterinary doctor. He will prescribe some oral antibiotics. Consequently, the lump will break down within a few weeks.
What Should I Do When I Find A Lump On The Microchipped Are On My Dog?
In most cases it is just inflammation.
Microchips are generally safe for the dog. But rarely, inflammation or tumor can occur because of inserting microchips. So, if the lump on the site starts growing, take your pet to a veterinary doctor. He will do the needful action.
Can A Microchip Move In My Dog?
Yes, if it is placed improperly then it might move.
The microchip is usually placed in such a way so that it will not move from its specific place. But if the veterinary doctor inserts the chip far from the neck of your dog, then it has chances of migrating somewhere else on the body of your dog. The doctor does a full scan of your dog to detect the location and whether there will be any future problems.
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How Can I Search for My Lost Dog With a Microchip?
If you had inserted a microchip in your dog before it lost, then you have a chance of finding your furry friend again.
Research shows that out of 7,700 stay pets, only 52.2 percent of dogs could reunite with their owner because of the microchip insertion. Some microchipped dogs cannot reunite with their owner because of improper information. I am listing here a few ways that may help you find a microchipped dog.
#1. Log into Registry Of Microchip
Your first step should be to log in to the microchip registry and complain about your missing dog.
#2. Enter The ID Number Of Microchip
Now the microchip registry will tell you to enter the microchip number of your pet dog. If you don’t have the microchip number, call the clinic or veterinary doctor who installed the microchip in your dog.
#3. Wait For The Call Of Microchip Company
Remember microchips will not give you the exact location of your dog like a GPS tracker. You can only find your pet if a person takes your pet dog to a veterinary doctor or animal shelter, and their scanning is done to get information about the owner.
So, update your phone number on the microchip registry so that whoever finds your dog can contact you immediately.
#4. Visit Local Shelters And Veterinary Hospital
The local shelters and veterinary hospitals have microchip scanners. You can call them to find out whether they have got a pet that matches your dog’s physical characteristics. If yes, they scan the microchip and help you find your dog.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. Can a microchip cause a lump?
Yes, inserting a microchip can sometimes cause a lump in your dog.
After all, a foreign object is being inserted in a dog’s body, so many things can go wrong. Some dogs can have inflammation, an infection for which a lump is developed on the microchip site. But it does not remain permanent and breaks down after several weeks.
But if the lump will continue to stay even after one month, then it’s not normal, and take your dog to a veterinary doctor.
#2. Do microchips cause tumors in a dog?
No, it is very unlikely that this can happen. In fact, the risk of any adverse event happening is minuscule.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Medical Association has been maintaining records of adverse reactions to inserting a microchip in dogs since 1996. It states that out of 4 million microchipped dogs, only 391 dogs had adverse reactions. Moreover, most of the dog’s microchip was displaced from their original position, and very few had tumors.
The exact reason for a tumor in a few dogs is still unknown. So, tumors cannot be directly linked to microchip insertion. There can be other reasons why a dog has a tumor on the microchip site.
#3. Is it normal for a dog to be swollen after a chip?
Yes, swelling is normal after the microchip insertion.
Your hand usually swells after you take an injection. Similarly, when a microchip is inserted inside the dog’s body, the site may slightly swell for a few days. It’s completely normal, and you don’t have to worry about it.
#4. Why does my dog have a lump on his back?
Lumps are usually harmless and go with time.
The possibility of a tumor is very rare. If the lump stays on your dog for more than one month or it’s overgrowing, then take him to a veterinary doctor.
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#1. Can a microchip cause a lump?
Yes, inserting a microchip can sometimes cause a lump in your dog.
After all, a foreign object is being inserted in a dog’s body, so many things can go wrong. Some dogs can have inflammation, an infection for which a lump is developed on the microchip site. But it does not remain permanent and breaks down after several weeks.
But if the lump will continue to stay even after one month, then it’s not normal, and take your dog to a veterinary doctor.
#2. Do microchips cause tumors in a dog?
No, it is very unlikely that this can happen. In fact the risk of any adverse event happening is miniscule.
The British Small Animal Veterinary Medical Association has been maintaining records of adverse reactions to inserting a microchip in dogs since 1996. It states that out of 4 million microchipped dogs, only 391 dogs had adverse reactions. Moreover, most of the dog’s microchip was displaced from their original position, and very few had tumors.
The exact reason for a tumor in a few dogs is still unknown. So, tumors cannot be directly linked to microchip insertion. There can be other reasons why a dog has a tumor on the microchip site.
#3. Is it normal for a dog to be swollen after a chip?
Yes, swelling is normal after the microchip insertion.
Your hand usually swells after you take an injection. Similarly, when a microchip is inserted inside the dog’s body, the site may slightly swell for a few days. It’s completely normal, and you don’t have to worry about it.
#4. Why does my dog have a lump on his back?
Lumps are usually harmless and go with time.
The possibility of a tumor is very rare. If the lump stays on your dog for more than one month or it’s overgrowing, then take him to a veterinary doctor.
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A Few Final Words
Inserting a microchip in dogs is a safe procedure, and it helps you get back your doggo if lost or stolen. But inserting a foreign object has some side effects. For instance, the microchip site can swell or have lumps. Again there may be a displacement from the microchip from its position.
The swelling and lump are normal and usually go with time. But in rare cases, the lump stays and may grow. If you observe such a thing in your dog, then take him to the veterinary doctor so that he can do the necessary treatment.
Thank you for reading the article. You might like to read about how dogs can survive in the wild if they get lost.