Microchip reactions?

My kitten June had a bad reaction to her vaccines (developed a lump at the vaccine site). It did go away after about 3 weeks, but I've decided not to give her any more shots (though I may consider the intra-nasal vaccine for her booster). However, I would like to have her microchipped. The Humane Society is having a 'chipping clinic next weekend, and I was thinking to take her, Dot, Scotty, and Sammy (the easiest cats to transport). But I didn't know if a cat that's prone to vaccine reactions might also have a reaction to the microchip. I've heard that some cats have developed cancer at the microchip site, same as vaccines.

Any experiences in this regard?

Yes, IMO there is a risk for cancer when micro-chipped. It is an injection - I guess I'm not sure what to say on reactions....

Did your kitten react to one specific vaccine (like distemper combo or rabies)? Or just the injection? (Did that make sense?)

I think the reactions are to the vaccine itself, not to the injections... IMO, microshipping shouldn't be a problem. I guess I would ask my vet.

Wish I would have known all this before I had mine microchipped a year ago. My vet suggested it and didn't see any problems.
Why not just get a collar with a tag instead of a microchip?

That temporary lump is from a small bit of debris (skin, hair, etc) getting pushed in when the injection is given. It can happen with any injection, not just vaccinations, and for unlucky pets it can turn into an abscess (not that common). Size of needled used and who gives it can cause/prevent this from happening.

This isn't exactly a vaccination reaction. My Tomas had the same problem.

My cat was microchipped at the shelter just before I got him, and has had no problems. You can't even feel it. I'm glad it's there... cats can get out of their collars, and mine frequently does. The chip means that he won't be put down should he end up in a shelter. It's great peace of mind.

Originally Posted by strange_wings

That temporary lump is from a small bit of debris (skin, hair, etc) getting pushed in when the injection is given. It can happen with any injection, not just vaccinations, and for unlucky pets it can turn into an abscess (not that common). Size of needled used and who gives it can cause/prevent this from happening.

This isn't exactly a vaccination reaction. My Tomas had the same problem.

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that is what my vet told me ... also I read several studies that used injections of just water in mice that turned cancerous

My vet suggested I not chip any of my non chipped "kids" due to the cancer risk .... she is seeing an alarming number of cancers

Originally Posted by emmylou

My cat was microchipped at the shelter just before I got him, and has had no problems. You can't even feel it. I'm glad it's there... cats can get out of their collars, and mine frequently does. The chip means that he won't be put down should he end up in a shelter. It's great peace of mind.

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That's how I feel too. Both my cats had their chips put in years ago.

I am alarmed, though, at the poster who says her vet doesn't like to do chips because of the cancer risk. I think I would still microchip a new pet, especially since I live in a big city and the chances of finding them if they get out are small. At least with a chip, I feel they have a chance, however small, to get home.

I have not been able to find any cases of cats getting cancer from a microchip. There was a study done where they reviewed previous literature on mice/rats and dogs and found two cases where dogs had cancer at or near a microchip site. I would not call that a significant finding. One of the dogs had a tumor near the microchip site, which is also where vaccines are given. Vaccines have been known to cause cancer as well so there is no way to know if it was caused by the microchip or the vaccine. The other case, the tumor was surrounding the microchip which makes it more likely that it was caused by the microchip, but it is not a given that the microchip actually caused it.
As for mice and rats, a varying percentage developed tumors in a few studies reported. However these were in most cases rats being used for cancer studies which were already very likely to develop cancer. (Rats tend to be very cancer prone anyway, for example the majority of female rats will develop mammary cancer if they live long enough!)

Rats tend to be prone to cancer simply due to how they've been bred. A rather sad thing for one to know when getting a pet rat. I'm not sure if other types are as prone... I always thought that huge African ones would make neat pets.

Back on topic..

Originally Posted by sharky

that is what my vet told me ... also I read several studies that used injections of just water in mice that turned cancerous

My vet suggested I not chip any of my non chipped "kids" due to the cancer risk .... she is seeing an alarming number of cancers

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You have a good vet. Ans iirc, live in an area nearly as rural as I do so chips may not serve any purpose. Until/if a shelter is built here, lost and stray animals won't be regularly checked for chips - thus I haven't bothered with it.

I have seen some information about chips causing cancer, but there's more risk from regular vaccinations.

Both of my cats and both of my dogs are microchipped. I do not feel guilty about the decision at all to microchip. Many, many, animals in this area are chipped and in the time we have offered microchips we have never seen a cancer related case. I think a while back when I first started working at the clinic there was one case of fibro-sarcoma related to a vaccine site, but even so I haven't seen anything similar since.

Most likely your cat reacted to the vaccine. At our clinic we vaccinate FVRCP in the right shoulder, FeLV left hind quarter, Rabies right hind quarter. So generally we can determine what vaccine the pet reacts to, if they react at the vaccine site. If you really wanted to chip your cat you could ask about giving Benedryl beforehand if you're worried your cat might react to the injection itself.

Microchipping is a personal choice. I did it because my cats figured out how to take off their quick release collars.[They get their lower jaw under and pull it off.] They are indoor only but I don't know what I'd do if they got out with no ID at all. I know in order for anyone to know, they would need to be scanned, but at least I have done all I can to make sure they have some form of ID on them. Same with my dogs.

Rats tend to be prone to cancer simply due to how they've been bred. A rather sad thing for one to know when getting a pet rat. I'm not sure if other types are as prone... I always thought that huge African ones would make neat pets

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Rats are in fact prone to many cancers and you are right, it was the way they have have been bred. Gambian pouched rats are quite busy and can make good pets if you know how to handle then properly. They also live quite a bit longer than the fancy rats

Back on topic..

I am still unsure about chipping. I know people that have had pets microchipped and come to find out the pound didnt even bother trying to scan the animal or did not have the equipment to do so.

I recently adopted a cat from a high kill shelter and they would not release him until he was microchipped. I was very against it because I too have concerns about whether it can cause cancer. Nonetheless, I did have a cat without a microchip and he recently passed away from cancer. So, it's really difficult to make a cause and effect conclusion when 50% of dogs and cats over the age of 10 are prone to cancer.

Hmmm, I have to think about this. First of all, the local Animal Control shelter doesn't have a scanner. However, when they catch a stray, they keep it for a week or 2 to give the owners a chance to find it. If unclaimed, they send the animals to the shelter in the big city, where they DO scan for microchips. So I'd have a chance to claim my cats, and I KNOW I would be calling them every day if a cat went missing. But if they ever did end up at the big shelter for whatever reason, it would be nice for them to be able to call me.

I do have my dogs 'chipped; I think it's very important for dogs to have some form of permanent ID. I'm not so sure if it's as important for cats. Especially indoor cats. But then you hear the stories of the cat going in the furniture delivery van and ending up in a shelter in Arizona (something like that), and the only reason they found her home is because she was microchipped.....

Yes, June's reaction was to the vaccine, not to the injection. But I just wondered if maybe her immune system is overactive and that would cause an inflammatory response to the microchip, too. I don't think microchips in themselves cause cancer, but inflammatory responses DO definitely cause cancer. So I'm still not sure. Maybe I'll take another cat this time and decide about June the next time the shelter has a 'chipping event.

Delilah got a lump from her last vaccine and did not have a reaction when she had her microchip. Lump went away, microchip hasn't caused any problems.

It's good that you are being cautious and researching it.

But please remember: We live in a society that is terrified of cancer. There are few things that haven't been reported to cause cancer. Every week, there's a report listing some new thing that causes cancer. In most cases, cancer is caused by a combination of contributing factors, not by one individual substance or thing (the case of vaccines may be different).In order to avoid all of the multiple contributing factors, one would have to hide out in their house and never go outside...and eat....I don't know what? Fruits and veggies that they grow themselves...indoors?

What I am trying to say (unsuccessfully, I think) is that we can't live in fear of cancer. As someone said, up to 50% of animals are already prone to some sort of cancer (I'm not sure about that statistic, but I know it's a lot). If you think there is benefit to your cat getting a microchip, then I think it is worth the "risk." I don't know that there really is any risk anyway.

And as for Sharky's vet, it is valuable information and one to take into account....but keep it in perspective as the opinion of a single vet.

Mine are all chipped, it's law in the state they came from but I would have done it myself if they didn't come that way.

chips here are universal, so no worries about it not being read. All shelters and vets scan found animals, it's one of the first things they do. And many vets scan new patients, just in case it's lost/stolen etc.

Originally Posted by zoeysmom

And as for Sharky's vet, it is valuable information and one to take into account....but keep it in perspective as the opinion of a single vet.

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Actually, I asked my vet acupuncturist and she had similar experience( her main practice is 30 plus miles away) plus the three vets at the other clinic I use ... It also could be the area , like the fact we have the 2nd highest incidence of MS in the world ... I highly suggest discussing it with your vet ... so far of 5 vets asked only 1 had not seen notable issues with chipping

A valuable thread from 2009 none of us remembered a few days ago when rereading the conversation would have been so helpful.

Anyway, regarding this thread and post #11 in particular, it took another year and a half for important, concrete information to become available. And Bulkin's story was huge.

http://catdefender.blogspot.com/2010/11/bulkin-contracts-cancer-from-implanted.html

http://www.chipmenot.org/bulkin.htm

There was also an article in the Boston Globe.

Even though this info is dog related, I'm including it here because Vetinfo is a wonderful, trustworthy web site and the info is worth reading/thinking about

http://www.vetinfo.com/the-side-effects-of-microchipping-dogs.html

From Dr. Jean Hofve

http://www.metropettracker.com/know_your_microchips.htm