Halo - Fibrosarcoma from microchip? Update #71

[Catlady711]

Just curious, did Rutherford have a chip? If so, the chip rather an the vaccines may be the culprit. W believe that many pet owners do not realize that the chip is the problem, not the vaccine injection site....

A microchip is implanted between the shoulder blades, vaccines are (or should be) given in the scruff of the neck, or a back leg. A microchip implant site and a vaccine injection site should never be in the same place if it's done right.

Pet owners, like me, go into this blindly, believing what the chip mfgs say on their sites about the chip being 100% safe

Halo had bad reactions to the innoculations, so we stopped those years ago. Our vet told us that rabies is the only one required by law. But, to NEVER get the 3-year rabies shot as it has caused fibrosarcoma. He told us that's why the 3-year shot is usually given in the back leg because the leg can be cut off if cancer develops. So, we made sure he never got the 3-year shot.

I don't have time to look up the study right now but there was a study that showed that ANY injection, including antibiotics, or even giving fluids under the skin can have a miniscule chance of causing cancer at the injection site.

Some vaccines may be more likely to produce an allergic reaction, but there shouldn't be any difference between a 1 or 3 year Rabies vaccine as far as odds of cancer goes.

we felt we were doing the right thing by getting her chipped. We have chipped 20 cats since we lost Kuhio. Halo is the ONLY one who has had any problems. We still believe that chipping is the right thing to do.

It is and I'm glad that this whole sad adventure hasn't caused you to stop doing what's right. As it was said above, there is a far greater risk of losing your pet, or having your pet contract a disease than the odds of your pet getting cancer from an injection. My thoughts are with you concerning Halo.

[Karen]

There is an alternative to chipping - there is tattooing. I'm gonna talk about it on the radio today, I'll come back with more info later. Prayers still for Halo's recovery.

[kuhio98]

There is an alternative to chipping - there is tattooing. I'm gonna talk about it on the radio today, I'll come back with more info later. Prayers still for Halo's recovery.

Tattooing does sound lik a good alternative -- of course if we had done that -- knowing Halo's luck, she woul have been allergic to the dye. She really is a medical mystery kitty.

Are there websites where you register the tattoo like you do chips?

[Karen]

Tattooing does sound lik a good alternative -- of course if we had done that -- knowing Halo's luck, she woul have been allergic to the dye. She really is a medical mystery kitty.

Are there websites where you register the tattoo like you do chips?

The website is http://tattoo-a-pet.com - they are the national registry, and have the database of all the pets and their ID numbers. They also give the owners a tag to put on the pet's collar with their 800-number on it, but even if the pet isn't wearing a collar, a vet or groomer who sees the number can always call.

It's only $35, and seems well worth it.

When someone asks why I don't have any tattoos, I tell them that with my luck, I'd be allergic to the dyes, and it's just not worth the risk. Anyone who knows me well knows I have all sorts of allergies, including a bunch of food allergies, so I'm not taking unnecessary chances!