I think my dogs microchip has moved to under her leg. It is so distinctive. going to the vets for confirmation. should I ask the vet to rechip. If so would it move again? Is the vet who chipped her responcible or is it just bad luck. Finally should I have it removed?

I'd be interested to know also if people regularly scan all over the dog rather than just in between the shoulders in case a chip has moved as I know the one in my dog has moved (sorry, not trying to hijack thread!)

As long as you KNOW where it is and it's accessible I wouldn't worry unless it causes symptoms...they can move, that's the down side...the good side is that they very quickly get enveloped in a bit of scar tissue and stay put. If it continues to migrate I would get it removed and start again, but best be advised by the Vet. I would have trouble as mine have their Pet Passports and the microchip is crucial! Cleo's chip has moved down to below the shoulder of her right leg...but you can feel it, it hasn't moved for a couple of months and most importantly it's readable! All the best, Dawn

I had to have a chip removed and a new one implanted into one of my bitches. The chip was almost into her elbow. The chip company will pay for the operation and the new chip if it has to be done.

The new chip has been there now for about 3 years and hasn't moved.

One of my goldies some years ago was lame on one of her front legs the vet in the end decided to xray & found it was caused by the chip having moved, she mangaed to manipulate it away from where it was causing trouble. I am glad to say she went on to live a long & happy life without another days lameness.

One of my dog's chips is very nearly at the elbow. Do wonder if the younger they are when it is done the more likely it is to move, have been shouted down for expressing this possibility but my vet thinks it may be too from their experience.

All my dogs have been microchipped as young pups, certainly no later than 12 weeks. 3 are still where they were put, but 2 are now by the left shoulders. All but one were carried out by the same chipper.

A lot depends on the type of chip(LOL I have said this so many times now)& exactly where the chip is implanted-my Rjj's has a Bayer chip(the ones 99% of vets use)& it is now in his forechest, it started to move with in weeks of it being implanted & at one time was at the end of his ribcage on his right side.

I use a different chip supplies by the only company who admits that chips do move & whose training includes a complete body scan before chipping.

I've done cats & dogs as older puppies/adults & also very young puppies & to date none of the chips has moved that I know of-I have one of the puppies who I chipped & tattooed @ 6 weeks & his chip along with his brother & sister who I seen regularly & scan their chips on a regular basis as I do anyone whose dog has been chipped

> I've done cats & dogs as older puppies/adults & also very young puppies & to date none of the chips has moved that I know of

Is it placement of the chip that stops it moving.?

I have the contraceptive implant, it's a small rod inserted under the skin in my upper arm (under local anesthetic). I quizzed the Dr. about the chances of it moving as I was very worried about it, he said it will only move if it isn't placed in the right posistion, something to do with the layers they place it between too deep & it will move, too shallow and it will move. The Dr. who fitted it said he's never placed one that has moved, he said if it's fitted in the right place to start with, the bodies response to it is to wrap it in scar tissue that keeps it in place (or words to that effect), and sure enough, whenever I go to have it changed he has to cut away the capsule of scar tissue to get the old one out. I find it fascintating!!

It must work in a similar manner for dogs, I know the microchip is smaller than my implant, but you appear to have a great success rate of fitting chips that don't migrate, that can't be just luck :)

As long as you KNOW where it is and it's accessible I wouldn't worry

But its not YOU that needs to know where it is, its the person scanning the dog  when your dog is unfortunately lost for whatever reason

Yes that's true...though you would hope that the people scanning have enough sense to go all over with a lost dog...surely they must be aware of the possibility of chip migration?...but then again...:-(

> Is it placement of the chip that stops it moving.?

It's both the placement & the coating & casing of the chip-the chip should be inserted between the shoulder blades by putting middle finger & thumb on the top on the shoulder blades then the index finger is used to pull up the skin between the finger & thumb, the implanter is then used to put the chip into place by pushing the metal sheath through the skin, the trigger pulled & released to implant the chip & then the index finger put on top of the implant site & the implanter withdrawn-the important bit is that the trigger(or plunger as some implanters have)is pulled & released whilst the sheath is in the dog, the chip won't be fully in the dog if this isn't done. This method means the chip is implanted at the correct depth & ensures that it doesn't travel backwards with the implanter

Thanks for explaining that MM :)

>But its not YOU that needs to know where it is, its the person scanning the dog 

All the scanners I've used do a very broad search and aren't localised - holding the scanner above a dog will scan most of the dog at once, not just the area directly underneath the machine. A quick wave around the animal is usually sufficient to pick up any signal.

i had a bitch scanned by one of these folk who sometimes turn up at a show offering their services. When she went for her rabies for her passport, no sign of chip. tried every where and eventually had to aneathatise and do a full body xray....no chip!!! Vet reckons she didnt get it under skin and it was just in the coat and fell out. I was livid as after all the expense and the uneccessary x ray...i still had to have another one!!!
I have my own scanner now which I always take overseas with me and use it regularly to check everyones chips are where they should be. Most have mone have moved sognificantly from where they were sited originally but then its hard in my breed to get a central spot as there is so much skin :)

If after a general sweep over the body it picks up a micochip, how would anyone ever know if the chip had ever moved?!

Because the scanner will be over the area in which the chip is, scanners don't cover the whole body only the area in which they are moved over so if no one scanned Rjj's chest they would think he wasn't chipped

> i had a bitch scanned by one of these folk who sometimes turn up at a show offering their services

Hm well it wasn't me I only chip @ shows if I'm asked to beforehand & the chipper should always check that the chip reads in the place it was implanted & also should part the coat so the skin can be seen

But Jeangenie said :holding the scanner above a dog will scan most of the dog at once, not just the area directly underneath the machine
So, how would you know where the chip is located if the scanner just picks it up "generally" not "specifically"

MM I wasnt suggesting it was you :)

>:holding the scanner above a dog will scan most of the dog at once, not just the area directly underneath the machine

Well the scanners don't unless you have the very very expensive ones that have a long handle & even then they still only scan a limited area, so the answer is you actually run the scanner over the animal almost touching or actually touching it so as not to miss it. The hand held scanners do not scan at a distance, I've just tested mine on an unused chip & I had to get within an 1 1/2 inches for the chip to be read

LOLOL I didn't think you were Sam I always triple check the chip is in position in the dog & it's obviously poor technique that results in the chip not being implanted properly, I do hope you contacted the chip compnay & told them ;-)

All my pups are scanned between 5-7 weeks and so far they have all stayed where they were first implanted.  The only one of mine that has moved was done by our vet, it's now under her front right leg armpit!

>the scanners don't unless you have the very very expensive ones that have a long handle & even then they still only scan a limited area

The reader we have at work is certainly not very very expensive nor has a long handle, but I can hold it a foot above a dog and get a reading of the chip. It covers a terrier's back all in one go like that. If you hold it very close to the dog you can get a better fix on where the chip is located, but that's not necessary to get a reading.

thank you for all your replies. I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow to see if it is the chip I can feel. ( the receptionist said it couldnt possibly be the chip) I will see! Interesting that it was posted that I might be able to get the microchipping company to pay for removal and a replacement. Will keep you all posted on what the vet says. An expensive chipping as sure I will have to pay for consultation. At least its not causing her any problems at the moment that is the saving grace

> but I can hold it a foot above a dog and get a reading of the chip. It covers a terrier's back all in one go like that. If you hold it very close to the dog you can get a better fix on where the chip is located, but that's not necessary to get a reading.

Well it wouldn't read my Rjj's chip from above as his chip is in his forechest & the correct way to scan is certainly not from a foot away because if the chip has moved like Rjj's has it wouldn't be read & ergo he would appear not to be chipped

Presumably if a reading is not forthcoming they do get nearer or maybe even move round to the chest :-)

if we get a stray handed into work we do a full body search, but as jeangenie has already said, generally if a chip is there it will pick it up pretty swiftly. if nothing comes up immediately we do go over fully several times.

That's reassuring and I hope most places also do this too!

hmm all 3 of my tt's microchips have moved , ailsa's is on her right side , not sure where the other's are as they now have a layer of fat lol , but their breeder is calling next week i will get her to bring microchip reader , just to check ,

Ginastarr

>Presumably if a reading is not forthcoming they do get nearer or maybe even move round to the chest

Exactly right, Isabel. :-) It only needs a little common sense.

So whats the difference between chipping at a younger or older age?
My dog was done at his last puppy vacc at 12 weeks as the vet said it was quite a large needle and may cause some distress. But are the chances of the chip moving less if the pup is vaccinated at a younger age?

I read somewhere, (maybe on CD) that the chip is less likely to move if you wait and have it done when pup is a bit older.

UPDATE--yes it was the chip. the vet has now re chipped her free of charge which was good of them. so she is safe and sound again. they did say that all the time the other chip isnt bothering her there is no need to remove it. so have had good result.

Just a point to be aware of.
I got Beano in the Nov, he was castrated and chipped at the same time in Jan. Registered and I thought all was ok.
3 years later when I got Ebba, the rescue centre checked, and there was no chip!!!! Or the chip had failed!!!!
So even though I had had him chipped 3 years previously I have no idea when the chip failed as I never got it checked!!!
It was replaced free of charge by the vets and chip company but the moral of the story is....
GET THE VET OR VET NURSE TO CHECK THE CHIP 2 to 3 TIMES A YEAR :) :) :)
Lea :) :)