So worried about microchip on Saturday I called the vet again and the receptionist told me that 'yes' the chip will hurt Teddy a lot due to the size of the needle versus his size but he'd be over it quickly. I've read that there are special needles available for smaller dogs i.e. I could buy one and ask them to use it instead of the standard sized one they use but I'm not sure if it's necessary? I wouldn't worry so much but Teddy is neurotic and the vet didn't want to chip him the same day as his annual check up due to the terror he displays at new situations and people. Ugh............................................ I just want to make sure he comes back my same ol' neurotic Teddy and not a new one with additional issues...:confused: |
It is absolutely inconceivable that a vet receptionist would tell a client something like this!!! I insert my own chips!!! I personally have a worse reaction to the inserting of the chip than any dog I have ever done simply because I hate needles!!! The needle is extremely sharp, with a cutting edge...and if the person that is inserting the needle knows how to correctly insert a needle delivery system, ie, as with all needles going in sub q, bevel side up, the pup will not probably even feel the needle going in!!! If Teddy is neurotic, he will react to someone fooling around with the scruff of his neck....but the actual insertion of that needle will NOT cause him "a lot of pain"!!!! Now, all bets are off if they have no idea how to insert a chip and do it incorrectly, like trying to shove the needle into the skin with the bevel side DOWN....but if they know what they are doing, and it is NOT rocket science or brain surgery, there should NOT be a problem!!! The worse "hurt" will be no worse than getting his vaccination shots or you getting a flu shot!!! I can NOT believe a receptionist told you that!!!!! |
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I would find another place to get the chip - like animal control. They do these all the time and know what they are doing. Zoey didn't make a peep when her chip was inserted. I would tell the vet what this uninformed woman said. |
I have never had a puppy....I chip all mine at 12 weeks old....so much as cry out in pain from this!!! I have had some of them squirm because that particular pup has places to go and people to meet immediately, and resents being held still while it is done.... |
I have heard the needle for chipping is bit bigger but vet/vet tech never said it would hurt alot. Like Yorkiemom1 said, I would think it depends on the person administering the needle. Even with humans, if they don't know what they're doing and just poking you, it freak'n hurts. Maybe you should ask for the vet instead of talking to the receptionist. |
If it's really bothering you, you could also ask them to give a shot of lidocaine to the area prior to giving the chip shot. Lidocaine can sting a bit, but it would make the insert pretty much painless. Maybe call and ask if that's an option....? |
I doubt there is a smaller needle. The needle is larger bc it has to be big enough for the chip to pass through, which is about the size of a grain of rice. I've had several fosters that needed chips put in. They always take them to the back to put them in but I never hear a yelp or scream. Though there will most likely be some blood. |
I would ask to speak with the vet and tell him what the receptionist said. Many receptionists give advice when they have no real knowledge. I think it will probably hurt, but I don't think she needed to add "a lot", and I think it would probably hurt a big dog as much as a small one, I don't think small dogs have more nerve endings per square inch do they? I do think it depends more on the technique and some practitioners are better than others. |
I wish I knew where"the sands of time" were located....I would come inject that micro chip for you!!! By the time they get a neurotic Teddy injected with Lidocaine, which DOES sting, injected into his scruff, he will be a raving psycho, climbing the walls by the time they go to inject the chip!! Totally unnecessary!!! If the vet did not want to inject the chip the same day they do a simple exam on him, injecting Lidocaine first will have him so wired they will have to give him a general anesthesia to get that chip in!!! |
It will be okay! I just had Teek chipped and I was right there when they did it. He squirmed a little bit but never let out a peep of any kind. He bled about 6 drops of blood, I was the one holding the paper towel on the back of his neck so I know. They scanned him to make sure the chip was in and he was done. It was seriously nothing at all. Teddy will be just fine and no worse for wear than if he was getting a simple shot. Relax and it will all be done and he will be back in your arms. It didn't hurt my other dog when I had her chipped either, she didn't even hardly notice. Teek is 1/4 the size of her so I was more worried about him, but he did not cry out and it really did not seem to hurt him much at all, like getting your ears pierced I would think. |
Hi all, Thanks for the replies - truly helps to have different perspectives. The receptionist is a vet tech and she didn't tell me anything differently than what the vet told me himself during Teddy's annual check up in September. During that visit, the vet said he thought we should wait to get Teddy chipped because it would 'hurt a lot' and Teddy was already scared from the visit so suggested that the chip be done at a later time i.e. Saturday. There is a different needle, I believe, which some people use for chi's and small Yorkies but I don't think it is widely known or used. I just thought maybe someone would be familiar with it here... I know it needs done as it is the law here (England) that all dogs are chipped by April 2016. Even if it weren't the law, I would get it done anyway. If they mean it will hurt a 'lot' as in more than a vaccination, I get that. However, they just keep saying 'it will hurt' and freaking me out about it..lol I'm hoping it's no different than the shots you get your kids which 'hurt a lot' and then life goes on. I don't know. Like I said, I wouldn't be so worried if Teddy wasn't such a nut. I guess I just have to hope he'll be okay since I really have no choice. Thanks all. :( |
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You are getting all worked up over nothing! This is what I do to myself before I get a flu shot, a pneumonia shot, ANY kind of shot! By the time I go in to get the shot, I am a nervous wreck......grey, cold, clammy, and almost pass out! Then the actual shot turns out to be nothing!! I am another Teddy!!! Teddy will be fine! YOU can have a positive contribution to the process by telling the vet to "be sure the bevel is up when you insert the needle"!!! |
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It's like a grain of rice being injected through a needle - it's instantaneous - might be a bit of a yelp - but then that's it.... Huge Harry even yelped at that moment - but a bit of a massage for a couple of minutes....and then it was all forgotten. I promise you, that's all it was xxx |
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I totally agree! I was worried about Teek and it turned out that it was nothing at all and not even a big deal. I was not nearly as worked up about it, but realized as soon as it was over that I was worrying about nothing at all. It was absolutely no different than when he got his rabies shot. Just take him in as if it is no big deal and it will be over with in a few seconds and he will be totally fine. I think me getting my ears pierced was a much bigger deal than Teek being chipped and my ear piercings were nothing. Please, relax and just have it done and don't worry about it. |
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