AVMA RELEASES STATEMENT ON MICROCHIP CONTROVERSY

As you may have heard there are reports in the media about studies linked to animal microchip identification implants causing cancer in dogs and cats.  The American Veterinary Medical Association has released the following statement in regard to this ongoing topic. For more information click on www.avma.org.

AVMA Statement on microchipping

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is very concerned about recent reports and studies that have linked microchip identification implants, commonly used in dogs and cats, to cancer in dogs and laboratory animals. AVMA staff and member veterinarians are actively looking into any potential for this technology to induce tumor formation in dogs, cats, or people but must await more definitive data and test results before taking further action.

Based on the fact that a large number of pets have already been implanted with this microchip technology and there has been a relatively small number of confirmed cases of chip-induced tumors, the AVMA advises 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.