Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 08/25/2016Updated: 08/26/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What are Flea Collar Allergies?

Many owners like flea collars for their dogs because it does not involve putting a liquid on his back monthly or remembering to give a pill. Unlike liquids that get dispersed throughout your dog’s coat, the flea collar remains in one place while on. Yes, the active ingredient gets dispersed throughout his fur over time, but the collar which has the most potency, says in one place. This can cause multiple types of allergies to develop in your dog. Contact allergies and respiratory allergies are the most commonly seen allergy symptoms in dogs in regards to flea collars, but in the most severe cases, it can even lead to death. If you put a flea collar on your dog and he begins to act abnormally, remove the flea collar immediately and take him to a veterinarian. The sooner you get him veterinary treatment, the better his chances of a full recovery.

Flea collars have been a type of flea preventative in dogs for many years. While the quality of the flea collars may have improved throughout the years, some dogs are allergic to the ones on the market today. If you believe your dog is experiencing an allergy related to a flea collar, remove it immediately and contact your veterinarian.

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From 466 quotes ranging from $200 - $800

Average Cost

$400

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Symptoms of Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

Severity of flea collar allergies in dogs can vary from mild to severe. Symptoms may include

  • Runny nose
  • Watery eyes
  • Sneezing
  • Coughing
  • Wheezing
  • Respiratory distress
  • Skin inflammation
  • Loss of hair
  • Rash
  • Itchy skin
  • Hives
  • Lethargy 
  • Death 

Flea collars can also be toxic to dogs. If your dog is experiencing any of these symptoms or something more severe, remove the flea collar and contact your veterinarian immediately. In worst case scenarios, a flea collar can kill your dog if you do not seek the proper treatment.

Types

Flea collars are commonly used as a flea preventative due to their convenience. Certain flea collars can be purchased over the counter, but some must be purchased from a veterinarian only. 

Causes of Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

Different brands of flea collars contain different active ingredients. The most common active ingredient in flea collars includes amitraz, pyrethrins, organophosphates, or carbamates. Symptoms of an allergy may appear immediately, within a few hours, or within days. When you put the flea collar on your dog, his immune system thinks the ingredients in the collar poses a threat and therefore the body does what it can to protect itself. This results in your dog experiencing allergy-like symptoms.

Diagnosis of Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

When you first arrive at the veterinarian’s office, she will begin by performing a physical examination on your dog. This will allow her to note any abnormalities of his vitals as well as observe of all his symptoms. If your dog is experiencing any sort of coughing, wheezing, or other respiratory problem, the veterinarian may take a radiograph. This will allow her to check for and rule out another cause of the symptoms like pneumonia or bronchitis. 

Blood work will be performed to give the veterinarian a broad look as to how the internal organs are functioning. A complete blood count (CBC) and chemistry panel will provide the veterinarian with needed information for proper assessment. A packed cell volume (PCV) may also be performed to determine hydration status. If your veterinarian feels it is necessary, she may also perform a urinalysis for further evaluation of kidney function.

If your dog’s skin has a rash or is inflamed in any way, your veterinarian may take a skin scraping sample to rule out external parasites or a bacterial overgrowth. Some dogs develop skin irritation or hair loss around the neck where the collar is. This makes it quite obvious the collar is potentially the problem.

Treatment of Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

Immediate removal of the flea collar is imperative. Depending what symptoms your dog is experiencing will determine his course of treatment. If your dog is experiencing any type of respiratory distress, he will be started on oxygen immediately. 

Some type of medicinal ointment or cream may be applied to any areas of fur loss or inflammation to increase healing time. The veterinarian may also recommend a bath with a mild detergent to remove the medication of the collar from your dog’s coat. 

An antihistamine may be given to help decrease any swelling, itching, hives, or any other allergic response your dog may be experiencing. There are other medications your veterinarian can give to help with any itching, but in reality this only masks the symptoms. If you do not remove the source of the problem, the symptoms will continue.

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Recovery of Flea Collar Allergies in Dogs

The sooner you receive veterinary care for your dog, the better his chances of a full recovery. Some dogs only have mild allergy type reactions to flea collars, but some can have severe, life-threatening symptoms. Once the flea collar is removed and as much as the medication from the collar washed from your dog’s coat, the veterinarian will treat the symptoms and offer supportive care. If you sought out veterinary care quickly, the prognosis of a full recovery is good. If you have any doubts or questions about the use of a flea collar on your dog, discuss it with your veterinarian. Together you will come up with the best flea treatment plan for your dog.

Flea Collar Allergies Average Cost

From 466 quotes ranging from $200 - $800

Average Cost

$400

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Flea Collar Allergies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Yorkshire Terrier

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Ten Years

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3 found this helpful

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3 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Itching
I recently bought my 10 y/o yorkie a seresto flea and since i’ve put it on she’s been scratching her neck and rubbing herself on furniture. i’ve used a seresto collar in the past and she didn’t have any issues, so that’s why i’m not sure if it’s an allergic reaction, or maybe she just doesn’t like the feeling of wearing a collar?

Aug. 4, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

3 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. If her skin is red or irritated, she may be having a reaction to the collar. If her skin is healthy and pink, she may just not like wearing it. It might be a good idea to take the collar off for a few days and see if things resolve, then try putting it on again. If this continues to be a problem, it may be better to get an oral flea/tick prevention from your veterinarian. I hope that all goes well for her!

Aug. 4, 2020

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Chihuahua

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dog-age-icon

Two Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
My dog has developed a red sore spot on her neck and lost hair. She had a regular collar on and a seresto flea/tick collar. I’ve removed both.

Aug. 3, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

1 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. It makes sense to me to remove the collars if that is where the red spot is developing, I just want to make sure that your dog is protected against fleas and ticks, so be careful about that. You may be able to clean the area gently twice a day over the next couple of days with a chlorhexidine solution that like hibiclens, and that may help. If the redness or irritation is not getting better, then it would be best to have your dog seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them and see what might be going on. You can also talk to them at that point about an oral flea or tick prevention for your dog. I hope that all goes well.

Aug. 4, 2020

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Min Pin

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Four Years

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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Huge Red Sores That Are Swelling
He has had the seresto collar for over a year. He started last night itching constantly. He now has two large red irritated areas on his neck. They are causing him pain. I removed his seresto as well as his collar. He has allergies. I'm not sure if he's allergic to the collar or something that bit him.

Aug. 3, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

1 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. Without seeing him, I cannot say if he is reacting to the collar or not, but I would think if it as been on for a year, it is not the problem. I don't think it was effective anymore, and he may have fleas or parasites, as the Seresto collar is not meant to be used for that period of time. If this area does not get better and stop becoming inflamed, it would probably be best to have him seen by a veterinarian. I hope they are able to help him and he feels better soon.

Aug. 3, 2020

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Cockapoo

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dog-age-icon

6 Years

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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
I recently put on a Seresto flea collar on my dog last week, and since then I noticed that his belly area has gotten red and splotchy and he licks more often. More recently in the past few days, he has been licking his L paw to the point where he licked the fur off. I took the collar off right now, but not sure if I should take him to the vet. Funds are tight right now, and I cannot afford a huge vet visit if I can remedy him at home. Please advise. Thank you!

July 16, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

2 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. I have not heard of that reaction to a Seresto collar, and it is likely something else that is causing this problem. Benadryl is a safe antihistamine for dogs to take, and a 20 lb dog can have 20 mg of Benadryl safely. If that does not help and make things better for him, it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian. There may be more going on, and they will be able to look at him and give him any treatment he needs. I hope that all goes well for him.

July 16, 2020

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dog-breed-icon

Cockapoo

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dog-age-icon

6 Years

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0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
I recently put on a Seresto flea collar on my dog last week, and since then I noticed that his belly area has gotten red and splotchy and he licks more often. More recently in the past few days, he has been licking his L paw to the point where he licked the fur off. I took the collar off right now, but not sure if I should take him to the vet. Funds are tight right now, and I cannot afford a huge vet visit if I can remedy him at home. Please advise. Thank you!

July 16, 2020

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

Thank you for your question. I have not heard of that reaction to a Seresto collar, and it is likely something else that is causing this problem. Benadryl is a safe antihistamine for dogs to take, and a 20 lb dog can have 20 mg of Benadryl safely. If that does not help and make things better for him, it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian. There may be more going on, and they will be able to look at him and give him any treatment he needs. I hope that all goes well for him.

July 16, 2020

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West Highland White Terrier

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KC

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8 Years

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2 found this helpful

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2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Choking
Snapping Teeth
Elevated Temp
Tried to post this as a comment, but would not post. ...Hi. Just saw your website post on Seresto flea collars. Had an incident day before yesterday. I placed a retired brood bitch with a great lady. She brought her Westie to pick her up. When they got out of the car, he was excited, hit his collar pretty hard, started making that throaty noise. I wanted to quickly get down to the fenced area, to turn them loose without leashes, so we went on. He continued to make the noise. He drank, but started throwing up a little foamy white. We became concerned when it did not stop. I said "Take that flea collar off". She did. But we noticed his tongue starting to get blue! Rushed up as fast as two crippled old gals and a honking dog could, phoned emergency vet, got a bit of benadryl into him, and took off for a harrowing 40 minute ride to the vet. We made it with him still with us. Oxygen, fluids, various meds and 1,600$ later, he's fine. His temp had been 107! upon arrival! She diagnosed heat stroke, which puzzled us, as he had been in AC for the whole ride, only outside for maybe total of 15 minutes at the motel when he started the honking. So that was a puzzle. Today I called a friend, former vet tech and used to breed Westies. She said the breed is notorious for being sensitive / allergic to flea products. Vet had denied that the collar could have done it. My friend said temp rise could have been from panic of choking. The dog is acclimated to mostly 72 degree a/c house. We were out in the 90 degree heat for 40 minutes or so, part of it in the shade, but it was a hot 500 feet back up to the house in the sun. What do you think?

Flea Collar Allergies Average Cost

From 466 quotes ranging from $200 - $800

Average Cost

$400

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