Cancer and microchip link needs more research

Schaumburg, Ill. - 9/15/07 - Recent reports and studies linking microchip identification implants, commonly used in dogs and cats, to cancer in dogs and laboratory animals need to be researched further, says the American Veterinary Medical Association in a statement released this week.

AVMA staff and member veterinarians are actively looking into any potential for this technology to induce tumor formations in dogs, cats or people, but must await more definitive data and test results before taking further action.

Based on the facts that a large number of pets have already been implanted with this microchip technology, and because there have been a relatively small number of confirmed cases of chip-induced tumors, the AVMA advised pet owners against a rush to judgment on the technology.

In fact, there is a concern among veterinary medical researchers that some of the research into chip-induced tumors may be flawed because the animals used were genetically predisposed to cancer. In addition, removal of the chip is a more invasive procedure and not without potential complications.

It's clear that there is a need for more scientific research into this technology, AVMA states.