My Dog’s Microchip May Have Given Him Cancer
Our German Shepherd is one of the brightest spots in my life. He’s almost 100 lbs and looks a lot like a wolf, but understands the word cuddle and always tries sit in my lap. He has a favorite blanket that he drags around the house. He’s managed to win the hearts of hard core dog haters, and people who have always been utterly terrified of German Shepherds. He jumped on the mailman once, but only so he could lick his face. He herds the cat like it’s his job. He snores while I write, and it’s the best sound I can think of.
When we brought him home four years ago, he was a funny looking five month old puppy with a head he needed to grow into and legs like tree trunks. I fell in love with him immediately. I was so terrified by the idea of losing him, that I took him to the vet to get microchipped.
This February, I noticed a growth on his shoulder. We took him to the vet and had it removed and biopsied. Two weeks later, the biopsy came back and we learned that he had squamous cell carcinoma, a locally aggressive cancer not normally found in that location, or in a dog so young. At our vet’s suggestion, we took him to a veterinary oncology specialist. They did a series of tests and recommended that we have more tissue removed from his shoulder to get wider margins on the tumor site.He had the surgery on Wednesday. According to the surgical report his microchip “was found in the tumor-contaminated surgical field.” I asked his surgeon if she thought the microchip caused the cancer. She said she didn’t know absolutely, but if it was a coincidence, it was an awfully big one, (especially since his tumor was in such an odd location and rare in a dog his age).
I’m not sharing any of this to incite fear. I’m not saying you should have your pet’s chip removed if they have one. Or not get your dog chipped if they are prone to running away. But had I known there was any risk involved with getting my dog microchipped, I wouldn’t have done it. I would have weighed the risks and benefits and I’d have realized that it didn’t make sense for him. My dog is never alone outside. We don’t leave him in a fenced in yard where he could escape. He doesn’t take off after squirrels when we take him hiking (the bunnies in our yard don’t even bother to run away from him anymore). And he’s way too codependent to let me out of his sight.
I read all of those “news” stories about cats accidentally stowed in a suitcase, or a shipping box, traveling across the country, but being reunited with their owners because they had a microchip, and I wanted that security of knowing that I did everything I could to keep my dog safe. Unfortunately, what I did in an effort to keep him safe is the likely cause of his cancer. Had we gotten our dog this year, instead of four years ago, this wouldn’t have happened. Four years ago, I thought any product sold in my vet’s office had to be safe.
The research I do for this website has opened my eyes to how important it is to be your own health advocate. We can’t trust that companies hold our health and safety, or the health and safety of our pets, as a top priority (think pet food recalls). We can do everything right and still not have control of every outcome, but I’ve learned how important it is make well-informed decisions. Our dog’s prognosis is open at the moment. He came home yesterday. Aside from tiring easily and having an enormous scar, he’s back to his goofy old self. We’ll get his new biopsy results in 10 to 14 days. The wait seems long and torturous, but I’m trying to focus on just spending time with him and figuring out the best way to cuddle without getting a split lip from his giant plastic e-collar. He’s already figured out how to drag his blanket around with the collar on.
March 7th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
My favorite part of this post is the last line:) I’m so glad that you are sharing this information with everyone. I hope you are cuddling with Argo right now!
March 7th, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I hope he’s ok. I’m definitely going to think twice about getting my dog microchipped.
March 7th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Aw, I’m sorry Allie — I hope he’s better really soon. Thanks for telling the internets about your experience, people need to know these things!
March 8th, 2008 at 8:18 am
I’m so sorry to hear your friend is sick. While I have too many cats to seriously think about getting a dog at the moment, I love German Shepherds. (My Grandma had one when I was little and he was a great friend to me during some tough times.) I hope everything turns out okay.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Thank you so much for all of your support! I really appreciate it.
I’ll keep you updated about his test results.
March 8th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I’m so sorry about your dog - he looks gorgeous. I love German Shepherd dogs.
I always felt guilty about my cat. I always had her vaccinated against the usual cat diseases to keep her well and so I could board her at a cattery if I needed to do so. But she died aged 10 and I read afterwards that having cats vaccinated often shortens their lives. I have no idea if this is true but I felt very bad about it. Like you say, if I had known I could have made an informed choice.
I hope your dog makes a good recovery. His youth should stand him in good stead.
March 9th, 2008 at 1:31 am
I hope your pup has a speedy recovery. I’m so sorry this happened to you. I hope the new biopsy comes out cancer free.
I just brought home a puppy of my own 2 weeks ago and was going to take her to get microchipped. This makes me question doing so. It’s very scary.
March 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
You describe your dog’s lovely personality so well that I felt truly sorry to hear that he is sick. We have a shepherd/lab mix named Jade who looks quite a bit like him.
March 10th, 2008 at 10:58 am
I was wondering what microchip brand you got for him? There is two that I know of so, do you remember if it was home again or avid?
March 10th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hi Valerie — it was a Home Again chip.
Reluctant Blogger — thank you! I’m so sorry about your cat!
Jamie, Patry — thank you so much!
March 10th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Geez, I hate that even when you feel like you are making the “responsible” decisions you might be harming your animals. Wishing your pup a speedy recovery! At least he has his blanky
March 10th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Thanks, Nicole. That is the kicker in all of this. I really thought I was doing what was best for him.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:58 am
Hi Allie- I know how special pets are and I am sending my best wishes for your dog. They truly are our angels here on Earth.
March 11th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
I have three cats and although i have not gotten them a microchip, i have always thought about it. It would absolutely break my heart, to know that if i had gotten them chipped, that maybe they would contract a serious illness.
I feel for you, and i hope your doggie is/gets better. It’s also good you took him to the vet right away, sometimes timing is a big factor with certain conditions. You’re a great dog mommie.
March 11th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Thank you so much Beth. I appreciate the good thoughts!
Missy, thanks! Timing is a big factor. It’s a good thing he’s such a cuddly dog — I noticed the bump while I was petting him.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
[…] (shown with cat to illustrate scale). Now, before you worry, this has nothing to do with his recent cancer. This happens twice a year, every year, and it’s just par for the course when you have a 95lb […]
June 6th, 2008 at 9:47 am
I was seriously thinking of getting my Rottie/German Shephard microchipped, but your situation has made me think again! Reading what happened to Argo brought a tear to my eye! I hope the test results bring good news for you and Argo x x