Microchip Lump?

[Breheart]

Odd, yeah I have never heard of a microchip in the armpit, always between the shoulderblades as far as I knew. Especially if a cat gets lost one day what if a shelter is trying to scan their shoulder and nothing happens? because it is in the wrong spot.. lol

However every time I took Keljin in to get vaccinated they always placed the shots on or around his arm/side so maybe that makes more sense. Either way if you aren't happy with your current vet, time to find another. Hopefully you can get enough information from him first on what exactly was done on poor Naliah's armpit. Wishing for the best recovery whatever it may be!

 

[Trish Allearz]

Microchips can and do migrate so that may be why the lump is where it is at :-(

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

Surely the vet could easily work out if it is the microchip site by using a handheld scanner. I think every vet would have a scanner! Behind the armpit sounds odd for a microchip, they are usually inserted between the shoulder blades as you say...how long ago was she chipped?

 

[Trish Allearz]

One brand of microchip was known to migrate, but I can't recall which specifically- I want to say AVID. I would hope (by now) they changed that and they don't migrate since this was a few years ago that it was a problem.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I've never heard that about AVID chips, do you know where you read that? I've used them for 11 years now without an issue...

 

[Trish Allearz]

This was quite a few years ago, B- but I'm pretty sure it was AVID. Hubby worked with some Home Again reps, so I'm not sure if they were just trying to make a bigger issue out of it or not- but like I said, it's what I've heard here and there...

Here is a discussion in a GSD forum about it- seems they've heard the same...

http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/german_shepherd_dog/bulletins.read?mnr=459238&pagen=1

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I'd love to see actual data comparing the chips not a couple owners saying this...I know that that is how we learn of problems but AVID is probably one of the most common chips hence I can understand that more problems might be seen simply from the numbers point of view. Yes, I am sure the Home Again folk would think it worth beating up... it's business.

 

[Per Lausund]

I can confirm that some years ago migration was a BIG problem, I would find chips that had gone all the way down to the shoulder from between the shoulder blades or the neck. That seems to have been solved in recent years, I´ve not seen chips injected after 2006 migrate.
If the lump is behind the elbow/front leg/in the armpit I would suspect a swollen lymph node. That may be because of an ongoing infection in the area it drains. Have it checked, and focus on causes, not the lump itself, though that may quite possibly require removal: this is why your vet needs to look at it again. A migrating chip would (should!) not move if it was in a lump like you describe, and nobody would (I hope) put a chip in the armpit!
P

 

[Patti]

I had a microchip migrate on one of my cats - it was 7-8 years ago and clearly moved down the side of the chest. Once the initial move was over though it stayed where it was and was very easy to palpate/locate. I believe it was an Avid chip but can't say for sure.

 

[Brigitte Cowell]

I think all of them can migrate, whether one is more likely than another brand is something I don't think has been looked at. For example, if I do a Google search for Home Again and migration I get plenty anecdotal evidence for that too.

But ultimately, I would hope that a few cases such as these doesn't make people reluctant to microchip their pets! Please, do microchip your pets...it can make all the difference if they happen to get outside!