Microchips

[Mews2much]

Here is a link.
Dogs suffer cancer after ID chipping

There were some cases in my area also.

At least with sphynxs you can see everything since they are naked.

 

[ilovemysphynx]

We have not micro chipped yet but if you go ahead with it make sure you check the company an make sure they have not had a problem or that they are still around. I remember one company that is no longer keeping active but the chips are still being put in animals so if you loose your pet there is no log because the company is gone. I would go with one that has been around for a while, may cost a bit more but would be worth it if ever needed.

 

[keldav99]

one of mine has a microchip you can't tell at all! I plan to do the other two also...

 

[gizmo6370]

All my sphynx cats are chipped....i will wait until their about 1 year old....and then let the vet put the chip between the shoulderblades...if they are little there isn't enough space....but when they are bigger...it's no problem....and you don't see them

 

[ckutkuhn7]

I always chipped my DHS kitties. I don't think it would hurt to chip Snuffie - I'd be heartbroken if I ever lost her and having the chip increases my chances of getting her back.

With her breed in this area I'd be more concerned over someone finding her and keeping her for themselves. A chip doesnt stop dishonest people.

 

[Sleepyheadkitten]

Well, in a way, a chip WILL help against dishonest people because say- you see her in their window and you call the police. A chip is really the only legal proof that this cat is YOURS, not pictures, not vet bills, etc- but a chip is indisputable.

 

[holly_savage]

ANd also, I know my vet scanned Hibou the first time I brought her in, even though I had told him there wasn't a chip in her. So I think if every vet did this for a new patient, it would definitely deter some of the dishonest people out there...I would hope!

 

[GioThermal]

Hey everyone! I know this sounds stupid but Gia was chipped when I got her from the humane society. It was the size of a grain of rice and I constantly rubbed it (between her shoulder blades). You couldn't see it but you could feel it. I loved it, it gave me a sense of security. I loved it so much that when she passed away and I was going to have her cremated I asked if they could remove the chip for me (I wanted to seal it in a locket) but they couldn't. Anyway, I am going to have both of my Sphynxs chipped when the humane society has their special ($10 per pet).

 

[Sleepyheadkitten]

Just an FYI...

DON'T chip them yourselves, but you can purchase the chips for $10-$11 on Ebay, sealed and in their syringe. I take mine to my vet and have them put in at kittens' twelve week check-up and she doesn't charge me anything since I am already paying for shots/exams.

 

[BareOnAHotTinRoof]

Baron is microchipped and he has a very tiny scar. I can't feel the chip though. The judges never said anything about it since in CFA they cannot discount for scarring. He has his small scar on his leg from surgery, but they've never said anything about that either.

The clinic I work at is 30+ years old and they have never seen a case of dogs or cats having cancer from microchips. It is inert material. Animals can have reactions from just having an injection, the action of putting the needle through their skin. Did they ever say what type of tumors popped up? If they were benign or malignant? It's just stainless steel. If cancer was caused by stainless steel, then everyone with piercings, everyone who has had surgery of some type, everyone with steel rods implanted in them, would have cancer.

I'm very pro-microchip. We always scan dogs and cats that come in to our clinic just to make sure. We scan and re-scan them after implanting the chip just to be sure it wasn't left behind in the syringe or lost in the haircoat.

 

[AthenaAura]

I went ahead and had Sissy chipped this past week. They had never done a sphynx before so they didn't know what to expect. I can't feel the chip because all I can feel is the wad of glue they used to seal her skin shut. She was awake and didn't make a sound. I also get mine chipped at the humane society. Absolute best price you can find.

 

[Inferno12]

Johnny is chipped. I had him done a couple of months ago. Because they are naked you could see the open hole where they put it in (i say it like that because I am an over protective mother. it really wasn't a hole but it was bigger than I thought.) It healed very well and didnt scar at all. I cant feel the chip and I have tried to find it. Maybe it because he is a little over weight .

I say chip your babies. He tries to sneak out all of the time and it makes me feel better because he is chipped. I also make him wear "necklaces" with a tag because he is a bad bad boy!

Oh one suggestion. Dont watch or listen. Johnny voices his opinion and it made me cry when I heard them do it. I guess its like watching your human kids get shots!

 

[Mug-ys mumma]

I say micro chipping is the way forward, In fact over here there are people getting it done now!! I suppose if you get drunk and can't remember where you live you just ask someone to take you to the nearest vets...

X

 

[holly_savage]

I say micro chipping is the way forward, In fact over here there are people getting it done now!! I suppose if you get drunk and can't remember where you live you just ask someone to take you to the nearest vets...

X

I can just imagine that...they should give the taxi drivers or the bartenders a scanner/reader and they could then send you home...lets hope you don't forget to change your address!

 

[ckutkuhn7]

It would help 100% with identifying bodies. Its so common now to hear of kids going somewhere on spring break and mysteriously dissappearing or they find a body and then have to wait to identify them. Sad things happen in this world.
But then some say the government would sneak in GPS into the chip and hunt you down for whatever reason.....I better get out my tinfoil hat! lol jj

 

[holly_savage]

Well, a GPS unit on the cat could come in handy...

Speaking of GPS and tinfoil hats...did you know that the IPhone has a "find me" app. So if you lose your phone, you can remotely turn it on and see where it is on a street level google maps! Creepy! Good idea for parents to buy their teenagers an IPhone...they could track them down! And then go get them and drag them home! Glad we never had those 15-20 years ago!

More on the thread topic...Hibou is getting chipped tomorrow morning! This should be fun...there will be blood and screaming...the blood will likely be mine or the vets!

 

[ckutkuhn7]

: Glad we never had those 15-20 years ago!

QUOTE]

No doubt!!! I would've been in BIG trouble!! lol

 

[Fester]

I just finished reading that article about microchip possibly causing cancer.

I suspect that the cancers found were related to scarring/injection site.

After googling Dr. Kathine Albrecht, I find she's a syndicated radio talk-show host, and has numerous articles against rfid tags for all sorts of reasons (mostly privacy).

After reading this I have to say I don't think she is an authoritative source...

From what I understand of cancer, technically any cell division can go wrong and end up as cancer, so cancers showing up at the site of old injuries/injection sites are extremely rare, but not surprising.

Of course, each person has to decide for themselves what risks are acceptable. I think the risks of losing my kitty are much more likely to occur.

 

[holly_savage]

Well, we had it done last Saturday and it was quite the production. Hibou was a bit grouchy to start with (Cat SHow flash backs???). The minute he picked her up, she got all up tight!

Attempt # 1

I was holding her head, the vet tech was holding her rear end and the vet made his first attempt to poke it through...FAIL! SHe jerked away just after he pierced the skin, which poked the needle out the other side of the skin (oops)

Attempt # 2

Same holding pattern, and just as he pierced the skin, she clawed open my hand and the vets hand simultaneously! We were both bleeding!

Vet decides that maybe a little sedation would be best! So now it's a needle poke in the bum!

Wait 10 minutes...both Holly and Vet still bleeding, trying to staunch the flow!

Hibou is now so drowsy, she is nose planted into the table and can't hold her head up anymore!

Attempt # 3

No actual holding required, just keeping her in the proper position and...VOILA!...5th hole was the charm! Got it in and right where he wanted it, between the shoulder blades.

So we register the info, wrap up the somewhat floppy cat in her blankie, pay the bill, say goodbye to the still bleeding vet as he wraps his hand in bandages and come home!

So, all in all a little trying, but it's over and done with, so I can relax now. Here are a couple pics of Hibou (taken tonight...so a few days old...scabs are falling off)

The little chip can be seen, especially if she is stretched out. You can see it in the last photo...right in the middle between my thumb and finger.

 

[Mug-ys mumma]

Oh bless her!! Poor girly! But at least you have peace of mind that she's all registered. Hopefully once it settles in the tissue will grow around it and it won't be so visible.

I have a contraceptive implant in my arm (not quite the same thing i know!) but when I have it replaced it's very obvious for about two weeks then everything settles down and i have to search to check it's still there!

X

 

[gizmo6370]

Poor Hibou

If my vet would take 5 times to put in 1 chip....he wasn't only getting scrated by the cat....i would hit him in the head is he nuts!

 

[holly_savage]

Oh, I am not mad at the vet, he did his best, and this is the 1st Sphynx he has ever cipped, I just felt bad that he was still bleeding! LOL

 

[Lisa Dobby]

They use a 12 gauge needle to inject the microchip. The microchip itself is about the size of a grain of rice. My cat has a microchip. There is no scar at all from the site of injection. You cannot see it at a glance but if you run your hands on him you certainly can feel it. I am sure all Professional Show Judges know what they feel like and no one would consider disqualification for this. In my opinion I think the benefits of microchipping far out weigh any very small chance of cancer. I also own 2 dogs that are not micro-chipped but they have CKC Tattoos that can be identified. I think cats are curious by nature and even though it is my idea for my Sphynx to be a totally in-doors cat I am also a realistic person. I have family and kids and people that come to my door. Someone. some day, not meaning to could let my cat outside. It could be the FedX Delivery man or the guy delivering the Pizza on Friday nights. And if that happens I want to make sure he can make it home safely. By microchipping he has the information on his person to identify who he belongs to! Or if a stranger wants to try and steal him I can prove he belongs to me. Let's face it these cats are not inexpensive and someone might want to "adopt" one that doesn't belong to them. I have peace of mind knowing that I have protected him to the best of my ability... That was my logic behind getting my cat microchipped. I guess we are better off than other cat/dog owners because we can feel the microchip on a regular basis and would certainly be able to pick up on any changes in size/swelling or abnormalities that may occur although this is certainly not something I expect to happen. I just wanted to chime in and let you know that I feel safer knowing my guy has one.

 

[holly_savage]

well it has been 2 weeks now, and all is well. The little wee scabs all fell off, and you can hardly even see where he poked her.
One thing is funny though, the vet was concerned that the chip would travel/shift, so he put it quite high up, centerred at the top part of the shoulder blades so that if it did shift a little it would still be between them...well guess what? It shifted UP! Now it is just above them which is just hillarious. I should call and let him know.

 

[SpookySphynxGuy]

In defence of microchips, I worked in vet medicine for 13 yrs and never encountered a bad reaction, or cancer from microchips. All my pets are chipped during their spay/neuter and I reccomend it. Not to discount what others are saying about experiencing problems with chips, just want to throw my two cents in!

As for chip migration, where it moves to another place in the body, a lot of microchip companies make textured microchips that do not move. Ive used different brands of chips though and never seen one move.

Nofuratu has a chip and it shows when he stretches like a little grain of rice, but most people dont notice. Its never caused a problem in showing. It Canadian cat shows, scars and the like can NOT be counted against the sphynx breed.

Hi nofurato given your experience I'd like to ask a question I've noticed bones has got a lump on her back just below her shoulder blade and it's noticeable she was microchipped about a month ago it doesn't seem to bother her and she's not fussy about me feeling it is it possible that scar tissue has built up around it?