What is Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning?
The chemicals that are put into the flea and tick collars that many dog owners use to eliminate fleas from their pets can be harmful if eaten. Serious effects on the central nervous system resulting in neurological deficits are possible. In addition, the ingredients in the flea collars can leave a residue on your dog's hair that remains for many weeks. Studies show that poisoning by some types of chemicals can occur by ingestion of the collar or by the licking of the residue found on the hair. Dog owners who use these products should also be aware of the potential dangers to other household pets and to children.
Flea and tick collars can contain ingredients that can be highly toxic to dogs if ingested. Amitraz and propoxur are two such chemicals, added to flea and tick collars during production. Accidental ingestion of a collar by your dog can result in severe toxicity.
Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning Average Cost
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Symptoms of Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning in Dogs
Amitraz
- Weakness
- Loss of bodily movement control
- High or low body temperature
- Depression
- Diarrhea
- Urinary incontinence
- Low blood pressure
- Obstruction of the intestines due to paralysis of intestines
- Dilation of pupils
- Gastric dilatation
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal heart rhythm and rapid heart rate
- Excess salivation
- Loss of appetite
- Seizures
Propoxur
- Muscle twitching
- Loss of bodily movement control
- Weakness
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Salivation
- Abdominal cramps
- Seizures
With a skin irritation of propoxur, there may be evidence of redness of the skin, loss of hair, and a constriction of the iris of your pet’s eye.
Types
Other than amitraz and propoxur, another chemical used in topical solutions for flea and tick control and for collars used to eradicate these pests is tetrachlorvinphos, an organophosphate also known to be toxic to your dog’s nervous system.
Causes of Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning in Dogs
Flea and tick collar poisoning occurs when a pet ingests a collar or consumes the chemicals that are left on the skin and fur as a residual product. Studies have shown that chemicals that are harmful to both your family pets and children can remain (and are accessible each time the collar is touched) for a few weeks after the collar has been put on your dog. Caution should be used when putting the collar on your dog; wash your hands after attaching the collar and make sure it is secure enough that pets cannot easily remove it, ingesting it accidentally in the process. Studies show that puppies and toy breed dogs, particularly the Chihuahua and Pomeranian, are susceptible to severe poisoning upon ingestion of a flea and tick collar containing amitraz.
Diagnosis of Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning in Dogs
When diagnosing poisoning from a flea and tick collar or from the residue left on the hair and skin, the veterinarian will come to a conclusion based on the history and specifics that you are able to provide, if any, and the clinical signs. If you see that your pet is showing signs of a poisoning like loss of bodily movement control or vomiting, remove the flea collar right away, or in the case of ingestion bring the remains of the collar in with you when you go to the clinic or emergency room. Provide the veterinarian with as much information as possible, such as recent illnesses, changes in behavior that you may have noticed, and the approximate length of time that your pet has been exhibiting the symptoms. The veterinarian may order blood tests, urinalysis, and abdominal x-rays but the timing of these tests will depend upon the immediate condition of your dog.
Treatment of Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning in Dogs
Flea collar poisoning is treated with support therapy and medication. Vomiting may be induced by the veterinary team, depending on the timing and chemical in the collar, and whether your pet is in a depressed state (as there could be risk of aspiration pneumonia). Activated charcoal may be used to bind the poison.
Fluid therapy will likely be started, and your canine companion will be closely monitored. The veterinary team will check at regular intervals, your dog’s blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, blood markers, and urine production. If your pet is dehydrated the fluid therapy will ensure that he is getting enough liquids. Medication to counteract the effects of the toxicity will be administered as well if possible
If the x-rays have shown the location of the collar in the intestine or stomach (or the absence, meaning the pieces did leave the body with the vomitus) an endoscopic procedure could be considered to remove it. In addition, your dog’s hair will be gently washed to remove all traces of the chemicals released by the flea collar.
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Recovery of Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning in Dogs
While there are risks of toxicity if used inappropriately or eaten, veterinary approved flea and tick collars are generally quite safe if used properly. With both amitraz and propoxur, the prognosis can be favorable with early treatment. This is why it is so important to visit a veterinarian immediately if you suspect that your dog has ingested a poisonous substance. Your pet may recover, but the length of time it takes for him to get back to normal will depend on the level of toxicity and his state of health at the time of the incident. When dealing with a flea or tick problem, always consult your veterinarian for advice on the best products to use.
Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning Average Cost
From 55 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,200
Top
Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Terrier mix
Pappy
9 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lathargic , Wont Eat
Hello Doctor, I have two dogs one is a 100 lbs pit bull lab mix the other is a terrier mix that weighs about 26 lbs who takes phenobarbital 32.4mg . 1 tab twice a day as she has seizures .i treated both dogs yesterday with"VETS + BEST natural health care flea + tick spot on plant based formula. I used small dogs under 15lbs tubes on the terrier and dogs over 40 lbs on the pit/lab the latter responded fine , the terrier however didnt fare so well she got very lathargic and started throwing up a white milky looking substance for lack of better word, i washed it off with a damp washcloth and she seemed to improve (stopped throwing up) thru out the night we dipped a finger in chicken broth to help her stomach.she seems much better but still looks like does not feel good and she wont eat anything but peanut butter which is what we use to give her the phenobarbital with. my question is : is there anything i should be doing that i have not discibed and will she start eating or should i take her to a vet we are not rich and a vets visit would cripple us but will do what we have to as we love our dogs thank you
Aug. 7, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
You should give Pappy a bath to wash all of that medication off if she is reacting badly to it. If she seems to be improving, isn't' having seizures or tremoring, you may be okay to watch her for continued improvement. You can feed her boiled chicken and rice, or canned dog food to try and get her to eat. If she continues to vomit, she should be seen by a veterinarian. She may recover with time and good nursing care by you.
Aug. 7, 2018
Dr. King, thank you for your quick response! Pappy is doing much better as it has been about 14 hrs since I wrote that description/question and there has been ample time to assess her reaction to determine that she is going to be fine! thank you for fortifying the notion that we should bath her as we sort of parted interpetations there! That is , my wife and i, will be bathing her tonight again Thank you for your time and energy in this matter
Aug. 8, 2018
Pappy's Owner
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miniature dachshund
Willow
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching
Fleas
Crying
Watery Eyes
Loss Of Hair
Shaking Head
Inflamation
Dry Skin
Hurting Ears
My dog has been losing a lot of hair and has bald spots on her back. She has fleas so I got her a flea collar. When she had the flea collar on she would cry and would keep shaking her head so I took the flea collar off and looked at her ears. They were bright red on the inside and she cries whenever I touch them. She started losing hair before I put the flea collar on her but her ears were not like that before. I don’t know what to do because I gave her a bath, Benadryl, and some coconut oil for her back But nothing is working. Her eyes are watery and her ears are bothering her a lot. She also has little bumps on the back of her legs. I don’t know what to do now.
July 20, 2018
0 Recommendations
You should bathe Willow with a flea shampoo and apply a topical flea & tick spot on medication (try to get something containing fipronil or selamectin) if you haven’t applied anything in the past three or four weeks; try to prevent Willow from scratching herself and monitor for any improvement. If there is no improvement or symptoms get worse you should visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 21, 2018
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Black Lab Mix
Fonzie
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Missing Fur
Scab On Neck
My 3 years old black lab mix is missing hair on the bottom of his neck and he has yellowish scabing where he had the collar on. I’m concerned that it could get worse and he could get really sick. I would like some help if it would be at all possible, thank you.
July 10, 2018
0 Recommendations
If this is caused by the flea collar you should remove it and bathe the area around the neck with a mild soap to remove any residue; the sore should also be bathed thoroughly with a dilute antiseptic and you may place a dab of Neosporin there to make a thin film to protect it. Monitor for improvement, but if it doesn’t get better or gets worse visit your Veterinarian. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 11, 2018
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German Shepherd
Antar
4 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Itchy Neck
My puppy had a serious issue with ticks so we got him a flea and tick collar. We went to the beach and took it off so it doesn’t get wet. When I got home and showered him I found he had lumps around the area where the collar lied on his neck. I consulted his veterinarian and he said that it’s normal and that I should put the collar back on. The next day the fur around the collar began to harden from the substance, so I removed it immediately. Now he’s itching his neck, and I don’t know what to do concerning his hardened fur and lumps around his neck.
July 9, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Lumps under the collar aren't a normal reaction, and it seems that his skin did react to the flea collar. As long as it isn't infected, it should resolve now that the collar is off, but he may need medications to treat the skin that is having that problem now. There are topical and oral flea and tick medications that he may react better to, and your veterinarian can recommend one of those for him, as they typically work better than most collars.
July 10, 2018
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Australian Cattle Dog
Waverly
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lack Of Appetite
My 3 year old cattle dog ate a flea collar and wont eat . This happened today and no changes on food or routine, and or soaps. She has also been acting strange. Any advice?
July 6, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Depending on the type of flea collar, the chemical may be toxic to Waverly, or the risk of a foreign body may be greater. If she isn't eating, and she is acting 'strange', the best thing to do would be to have her seen right away by a veterinarian to determine if she is having a toxic problem, or a GI problem. They'll be able to examine her and determine what treatment she may need.
July 6, 2018
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German Shepherd
Bella
6 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
I put a seresto flea collar on my german shepherd puppy (who is charting 70 pounds) and within a day she developed massive, explosive diarrhea. She has an apatite, active, no vomiting, is currently on no medications, has had all of her vaccinations, and has not eaten any new dog food. I took the flea collar off as I feel this is the only thing new that has been introduced. I am going to wait to see if this subsides. In the meantime, should I bath her?
Flea and Tick Collar Poisoning Average Cost
From 55 quotes ranging from $300 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,200
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
