Anyone have a tiny dog microchipped?

[dfchelbay]

I called my vet to make an appointment to get my tiny 5lb dog microchipped and was asked by the tech if I had anything else that needed done to my dog, like teeth cleaning or spayed/neutered to take care of at the same time. She advised me that the needle to do the microchipping is very, very large and painful for a small dog and that it would be better to do it while my dog was under anesthetic having something else taken care of.

Is this true? Is the needle really huge and painful for smaller dogs? I'd like input from small dog owners who have had it done. How was it for your dog? Were they in pain? Did they suffer? I was completely for having my dog microchipped UNTIL this conversation with the vet's office. Now I'm apprehensive about it. Let me know your experiences please.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Ours is microchipped but was done when she was spayed. Otherwise no issues. It is a big needle though and I could understand why it could be painful for a small dog.

 

[dfchelbay]

Ours is microchipped but was done when she was spayed. Otherwise no issues. It is a big needle though and I could understand why it could be painful for a small dog.

About how big is the needle? Thanks

 

[mickeyboat]

We had our lab puppy microchipped when she was pretty little (12 lb). The vet did it with no anesthesia at all and Sophie didn't even flinch. I am surprised to hear that it is so painful for little dogs.

 

[yoopermom]

I had an entire litter of pups microchipped when they weren't more than maybe 4-5 lbs and not a one flinched. The needle IS large, but really it's no big deal.

Terri

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Here's an image I found on Google; it's a 12 gauge needle for reference.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

A 12 gauge needle is very large. You can look down through the bore hole and see out the other end.

My vet also told me if I were going to get my dog micro-chipped it is best to do it while they are out.

 

[MichelleVW]

I wouldn't put a dog under anesthesia to microchip them! Any time you put them under it's a risk. My dogs are bigger, but they didn't even flinch. Now one of my dogs got a painful anti vomit shot on Saturday that made her jump a mile and bite at her side for about 30 seconds, but after that she was fine. It will only hurt for a second, and they will be fine.

 

[JKMJ441724]

I have an 8 lb. shih tzu. We were talking to our vet about getting her spayed. He said a lot of his clients get their dogs microchipped at that time because the dog was under anesthesia and it would help avoid pain. He did say the needle was rather large.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Is your dog already spayed or neutered? We did our microchip with both our dogs at the same time they were spayed and it worked out well because they were already knocked out for the spay.

 

[scrapquitler]

I called my vet to make an appointment to get my tiny 5lb dog microchipped and was asked by the tech if I had anything else that needed done to my dog, like teeth cleaning or spayed/neutered to take care of at the same time. She advised me that the needle to do the microchipping is very, very large and painful for a small dog and that it would be better to do it while my dog was under anesthetic having something else taken care of.

Is this true? Is the needle really huge and painful for smaller dogs? I'd like input from small dog owners who have had it done. How was it for your dog? Were they in pain? Did they suffer? I was completely for having my dog microchipped UNTIL this conversation with the vet's office. Now I'm apprehensive about it. Let me know your experiences please.

The humane society microchipped our kitten at the same time they spayed (neutered? I can never remember which is which) him. He was 2 months old and 2 lbs at the time, so they can definitely do it. It's probably just easier to do it all at once, and less painful for them.

 

[scrapquitler]

I forgot to add that my Moms cat got chipped in the office, apart from any other procedures, with no problems. She's pretty small, maybe 6 lbs.

 

[wilkeliza]

Our little one (6 lb) was chipped when she was spayed.

 

[EMom]

My vet advised me to do this when they were spayed and under anesthesia, because the large needle can be painful. Both were 4-5 pound cats at the time.

 

[minkydog]

My little dog, Tiki, was microchipped as we were walking out the door at the pound. I'm sure it hurt a little, but the needle goes just under the skin, not into a muscle, which would be very painful. He didn't cry out and he wasn't upset after.

 

[STLDisney_Freak]

I have a 7 pound chihuahua and a 12 pound shih tzu. Both of them were microchipped and neither of them were put under anesthesia. We checked in, they took them back, and then brought them back out to us. The whole visit was maybe 20 to 30 mins at the most.

 

[*JoGo*]

My kitten was just under 5lbs when he was neutered and they chipped him at the same time. They recommended doing it when the animal was already knocked out. Since I was having him neutered anyway, I didn't have to decide. After hearing others say their pet was fine, I honestly don't know what I'd do in your situation.
to you and your pup

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

Last Saturday I had my 7 lb toy poodle micro chipped. The needle is good sized, because the micro chip is the size of a grain of rice. They gave her a needle to numb the area, did her exam and then micro chipped her. She didn't even flinch. It bled a little and by the next day it was all scabbed over. I just looked at her now, and the scab is gone. Shes fine. She was quiet the first night, not sure if it was the micro chip or her shots.