24/07/2025
Great post ! Thanks Dr. Heather the Vet!!
MICROCHIPS
There's a post making the rounds about a dog whose seizures resolved after removing his RFID microchip. I do not know if the story is true as written.
WHAT I KNOW:
From the perspective of holistic health and exposure to non-native frequencies, I think microchips are a troubling concept. I wouldn't want a chip in me!
Pet finder microchips are meant to be inert and passive, but by definition, they contain an antenna to connect with the chip reader. We live in a world of near-constant electro-smog, so it seems reasonable that a chip *could* be activated regularly.
I'm unaware of any studies that address this concern.
That said, both of my dogs are chipped. It was done prior to them being "mine" and it was done with the best of intentions by their breeders, both veterinarians. I am grateful for their care.
Had I been given the choice, I remain *unsure* what I would have decided. I give The Terriers a lot of leeway to roam, for their enrichment and overall quality of life. A chip gives me a better chance for return, when and if they roam too far.
My dogs are healthy, no seizures, no lumps. I see dozens of chipped pets each month, and have yet to find an active problem that I can pin on the chip.
Removing RFID chips, if that is what you want, ought to be simple, but may not be. The surgery would require general anesthesia, and maybe a couple of X-rays to locate the chip if it wasn't palpable.
In Europe and Australia, you are legally obligated to chip your puppy or dog. Horses are now microchipped, and many dog and horse competition venues require chips. Ditto international travel.
I have a policy of not making people manic about something they may not be able to control. Fear is corrosive, and can be paralyzing. We can avoid much suffering when we learn to manage fear and turn it into more empowering emotions.
There are so many things for pet owners to worry about that are easier to address:
What does your pet eat -- ultra-processed kibble, or balanced fresh food? Do they get out in nature daily? Interact/play with their family in meaningful ways? Are they living in a "smart home" with constant Wifi signals winging around the house? (I sure hope not) Is there mold or radon in the home? Herbicides and pesticides in the yard?
Chipped pets are more likely to find their home if lost. Of course, that's only if the finder has - and uses! - a scanner, and only if the chip is updated with correct information.
A more reliable way to ID the dog or cat is to tattoo a contact number somewhere visible, like the groin. No special equipment needed, but the finder has to *think* to look there for info.
Many people are resistant to "marking" their pet in this way, not every vet clinic has tattoo equipment, and it requires general anesthesia. Tattoo ink can be problematic.
Some of those "drugless" tags that are meant to repel fleas and ticks also emit frequencies. It's possible they can also affect a pet's health.
The story told on the post that inspired me to write drills down on fear and conspiracy, as if the vet community is intentionally harming pets with RFID chips. That kinda hits me in the soft spot.
As y'all know, a core value of mine is to help you connect BETTER with your vet team, understand where they are coming from, and communicate effectively with them, to get the best care for your animals.
That's the topic of my latest newsletter and blog post. I hope you check it out 🥰
ADDENDUM: Pushback from my colleagues inspired me to perform a cursory literature search on the safety of implanted RFID chips. They are proven to be associated with tumors in rodents:
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0192623318792541
