Disturbing-Microchip News

[jencar98]

I was made aware of this on another forum and thought anyone considering micro-chipping might want to read some recent information.

By Jane Williams GFN contributing writer--- (For Publication in the
January 2007 "American Family Voice")

At the National ID Expo in Kansas City, Arkansas Animal Producer's
Association President Michael Steenbergen asked, "What safety studies
have been conducted on the chips that are inserted into animals?" His
question was met with total silence. Did these manufacturers not
know, or were they unwilling to admit that research has confirmed
that implanted microchips cause cancer?

Melvin T. Massey, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) from
Brownsboro, Texas, brought this to the attention of the American
Horse Council when he wrote, "I am a retired Equine Veterinarian and
still breed a few horses. Because of migration-infections-increased
risk of sarcoids I will not want to have microchips in my horses."

The Institute of Experimental Pathology at Hannover Medical School in
Germany reported , "An experiment using 4279 CBA/J mice of two
generations was carried out to investigate the influence of parental
preconceptual exposure to X-ray radiation or to chemical carcinogens.
Microchips were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsolateral back for
unique identification of each animal. The animals were kept for
lifespan under standard laboratory conditions. In 36 mice a
circumscribed neoplasm occurred in the area of the implanted
microchip. Macroscopically, firm, pale white nodules up to 25 mm in
diameter with the microchip in its center were found.
Macroscopically, soft tissue tumors such as fibrosarcoma and
malignant fibrous histiocytoma were detected."

Ecole Nationale Veterinaire of Unite d'Anatomie Pathologique in
Nantes, France, reported, "Fifty-two subcutaneous tumors associated
with microchip were collected from three carcinigenicity B6C3F1 mice
studies. Two of these 52 tumors were adenocarcinoma of the mammary
gland located on the dorsal region forming around the chip. All the
other 50 were mesenchymal in origin and were difficult to classify on
morphological grounds with haematoxylin-eosin."

Marta Vascellari of Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle
Venezie at Viale dell'Universita in Legnaro, Italy reported examining
a 9-year-old male French Bulldog for a subcutaneous mass located at
the site of a microchip implant. "The mass was confirmed as a high-
grade infiltrative fibrosarcoma, with multifocal necrosis and
peripheral lymphoid aggregates."

The Toxicology Department of Bayer Corporation in Stillwell, Kansas
reported, "Tumors surrounding implanted microchip animal
identification devices were noted in two separate chronic
toxicity/oncogenicity studies using F344 rats. The tumors occurred at
a low incidence rate (approximately 1%), but did result in the early
sacrifice of most affected animals, due to tumor size and occasional
metastases. No sex-related trends were noted.

All tumors occurred during the second year of the studies, were
located in the subcutaneous dorsal thoracic area (the site of
microchip implantation) and contained embedded microchip devices. All
were mesenchymal in origin and consisted of the following types,
listed on order of frequency: malignant schwannoma, fibrosarcoma,
anaplastic sarcoma, and histiocytic sarcoma.

The following diagnostic techniques were employed: light microscopy,
scanning electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. The mechanism
of carcinogenicity appeared to be that of foreign body induced
tumorigenesis."

Additional studies related to cancer tumors at the site of microchip
implants have been conduced in China; however, at this time these
studies are not available in English. At this time, no long term
studies are available covering more than two years. It only seems
logical to conclude that if carcinogenic tumors occur within one
percent of animals implanted within two years of the implant that the
percentage would increase with the passage of time. Additional
studies need to be conducted, but don't hold your breath for the
manufacturers of microchips to conduct such research and be leery of
any such "research" they may conduct. Even the limited research
available clearly indicates that implantation of microchips within an
animal is gambling with the animal's well being.

For additional Information:
http://www.vetpathology.org/cgi/cont...tract/43/4/545, National Library
of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, www.pubmed.gov, google
for "sarcomas associated with implanted microchips".
_________________
Cher

[Sawyers mommy]

Thanks for the warning. I have been worrying about the same thing. I don't see how implanting a foreign body into the dogs could be good in the long run. We had our Jack Russell microchipped a few years ago, and he never stopped worrying with that spot on his back, trying to reach it, or rub it on the rugs. I know so many have the chip, and have no complications; but I have some concerns. I would just die if Sawyer ran off and got lost; but the idea that something I did to him caused him to be ill scares me more. For all of you that have the chip; please don't think I am bashing you. I had the chip for my other dog too, and thought it was a great idea; now I am concerned. New information always seem to change things doesn't it?

[FlDebra]

Thank you for posting that. It definately makes me reconsider. I had first thought I would not micro-chip my two Yorkies -- unless they were going to be neutered/spayed and then I would have the doc do it while they were under. All I was thinking about was the pain. Then, when my son had an auto accident and his little poodle ran off during the chaos, I decided you never know and maybe I should microchip now. After reading this information, I think I will reconsider again. It is hard to know what to do.

[wnturner]

Thanks for the information

[jencar98]

It is scary when so many have had their pets microchipped for very good reasons only to have this published after the fact. That is the problem with the newest, latest, greatest thing - somewhere down the line it may turn out to be not so wonderful. You would think these studies would be done way before something is offered to the public. At least then people could be informed and make a decision based on the pros and cons with all relevant information considered.

[Gracie2006]

Thanks for the info, but I think we need to take this study in context. My vet told me that vaccines given in the wrong area can cause tumors. So, is it the chip? The shot to put it there? Or the location of the shot? What was the chip made out of and are the chips used in the study in mice and in in Germany the same chips used in dogs here in the U.S.? Personally, I think this study leaves a lot more questions to be answered than it does valid answers. I would like to see a study involving only microchip implants in dogs, and using the same type of chip implanted in the same location.

[JESSY_RN2B]

I had posted before (other thread) on my reasons for NOT wanting mine microchipped. I usually don't run out and get the latest thing done.........rather, I sit and wait (watch). My decision has been frowned upon, but this thread makes me feel like I made the best decision for my furkids.

THanks

[Yorkie3]

Even though my dogs are never EVER out of my site...I had considered getting them microchipped, but something kept tugging at me not to. This is a little scary, so I won't be having it done now.

[Grayson's mom]

I read that on another forum also and it scares me as grayson came to me already microchipped!

[Jenn218]

I didn't have Mojo chipped either. My family just didn't know about it - we are kind of weird when it comes to things like this, but then my vet was saying that there were some down sides too, but I didn't ask her what - once she said that, I decided that we wouldn't get it done right then. We probably won't. They do sell collars, charms, etc w/ some sort of chip in them, so if they just run loose, they can be found, but I guess if someone steals them, their collars will be the first thing that is taken off, I guess! -- kind of like with skinkids - they have all sorts of things coming out w/ a chip in them - shoes, backpacks, watches, etc. Thanks for the post!

[MissLola]

I always wonder about things like that. Lola is microchipped, and so is one of our shelter rescue dogs and shelter cat. Our animal shelter microchips every one of their animals before they are adopted out. I suppose it makes it a lot easier on them when it comes to trying to identify strays, but I still wonder about the overall safety of it.

~Shannon

[JESSY_RN2B]

Last month Luvmypet was offering the chip for like 19 dollars at several Petco's but I still refused.

[my2boyz]

Originally Posted by Gracie2006

Thanks for the info, but I think we need to take this study in context. My vet told me that vaccines given in the wrong area can cause tumors. So, is it the chip? The shot to put it there? Or the location of the shot? What was the chip made out of and are the chips used in the study in mice and in in Germany the same chips used in dogs here in the U.S.? Personally, I think this study leaves a lot more questions to be answered than it does valid answers. I would like to see a study involving only microchip implants in dogs, and using the same type of chip implanted in the same location.

I agree. My boyz are chipped and I still feel I've done the right thing.

[cheeselover8481]

Originally Posted by my2boyz

I agree. My boyz are chipped and I still feel I've done the right thing.

Ditto.

[doortego]

I asked my vet to microchip Little Bit when she was spayed and she wouldn't do it. She didn't give a reason, just said I don't do microchipping. I thought that was very odd. Since she is always up on the latest research and has all the most expensive equipment, I didn't think it would be a money issue.