"I just noticed my inside cat who was wearing a flea collar, has all of her hair off all around her neck.

Question

I assume she is allergic to the collar, but wondering what medication would be best to use on her. I put some Neosporin on it------hope that was okay. The skin is pretty dry, with just a few open spots. She has been staying upstairs, so we didn't notice until today. It covers most of her neck and down on her chest.

Answer 1

Try a veterinary product that you can get at any farm supply store it is actually for cows, it is called bag balm or utter balm, it is even sold now at Meijer in the first aid supplies area. It is great for dry skin, I used it to heal my dry cracked hands, it works great and helps speed the healing process.

Don't put a flea collar on the cat or it may happen again.

Try any of the many other flea control products.

Answer 2

Flea collars are just a ginic for money. The collar's effects are questionable as are quality control. They release chemicals that your cat constantly absorbing through breathing nd through pores of the skin. Fleas are only killed in area of collar and not over all body as claims. Get rid of that collar and get rid of the fleas. there are non chemical ways. Once in the last 10 years I had a problem and I bathed all 8 cats[natural shampoo]. It can be done if you prepare well, had a firm grip and work so fast they are off guard than finished wrapped in a towel in your arms. After rigorous house cleaning I keep up a routine and preventive measures. Fleas avoid healthy cats that have a high Vit B intake [brewerst yeast] also a little unprocessed apple cider vinegar in drinking water.
Try aloe vera on skin and open sores. Or go to health store and buy a bottle of Super Silver as it is good for people and pets.

Answer 3

There are numerous brands of flea collars for cats. These are cat flea collars with a flea deterrent product impregnated in the collar. It is very important that the cat flea collar is made specifically for cats since some dog flea and tick collars can be dangerous to cats. But do flea collars for cats work? This is controversial. Most veterinarians would say no, that cat flea collars are one of the least effective methods to battle fleas. For one thing, the cat flea collar is "on the wrong end” so to speak. Most cat fleas huddle around the rear of the cat and infrequently are around the head and neck areas where the cat flea collar is located. Cat flea collars do little to kill fleas and some of the ingredients can be toxic to some cats. There are safer alternatives to flea collars available on the market for cats. For example, some of the new oral and topical medications can work very well and are safer than cat flea collars.

Answer 4

Please do not put any kind of flea collar on a cat. They only cause problems! Topicals such as 'Advantage' used once a month work best, to kill and prevent fleas, and that brand is particularly safe for cats. Plus, you need to get rid of all the fleas which may be in your home. You can use flea bombs, sprays, wrap furniture and large items in plastic wrap to leave for several days. Just remove kitty for a couple of days, first, when you bomb or spray. A pest control service may be able to help you faster, but it is expensive,and your cat still needs some place else to stay until it is all safely dry.

If your indoors can become free of fleas, she should only need maybe 2, or 3, of those topical treatments.

As soon as possible, get her on an excellent, natural diet, with lots of meat and plenty of good fat in it, only complex plant carbohydrates and not many of those, and stay away from all sugars and nearly all grains! I know it sounds stupid, but that diet can heal up her dry skin and even the sores, in time. Give her garlic, and brewer's yeast, too. Allowing her no additives or 'junk' cat food is the last part of the equation, and the diet should fend off fleas in the future, as well.

For the immediate future, she might need some kind of steroid cream you could get from a vet. Just be sure she cannot lick it off. Good luck!

Answer 5

If your cat is indoors at all times she has no need for a flea collar unless you have other pets coming in from outside or your house has fleas. Flea collars are extremely irritating. Take it off and get her to the vet for two things - skin treatment and new types of flea control options.

Answer 6

Well, if she's had it on for awhile it could have rubbed the hair off, especially if it's a little snug. Or, it may have itched, and she scratch the hair off. Or, as you said, she may be allergic. When you say you want to know what medication is best - do you mean for the skin or for fleas? Your shouldn't need any more medication for the open skin, just leave it - unless she itches. Then call a vet. But I suggest if you're looking for another flea medication you call a vet anyway.

Answer 7

Most cats can't wear flea collars without breaking out like your cat did.
Did you follow the instructions about stretching it out? What I found to work for my cat, after taking her to the vet, is to try stretching it out and leaving it just lay on a piece of paper towel for 24 hours and then try it on the cat and if it still happens again to cause the cat to lose hair you may need to take your cat in to see the vet for a special flea collar.
Just don't leave your cat outside without a flea collar but if you can can't wear one at all you'll just have to leave your cat inside or your cat will suffer from more then just fleas.
Good luck to both you and your cat.

Answer 8

We adoped two cats two years ago, and one had a flea collar on. She scratched her neck all the time. I took the collar off, and when we took them to the Vet for shots and a checkup, he said flea collars don't do any good. They might keep fleas off the neck, but not the rest of the body.

I have had cats all of my life, and none of them have ever had fleas. If you keep your cat inside, she won't need a flea collar.

Take her to the vet and get some proper treatment for her neck. What works on humans, might not be good for your cat if she licks it off.

Answer 9

Obviously something bad is happening. I would suggest removing the collar and taking his to the vet for a check-up. If for some reason you can't, just remove the collar and watch his for a while if it appears to get better then there isn't much of a need for the vet but if it doesn't you should defiantly take him in. (I would suggest taking him in anyway) Also, you can get frontline from the vet to protect against and kill fleas.

Answer 10

It does sound to me like she is very sensitive to flea collars. They are harsh on the neck. I'm a big fan of Advantage, myself. First off, remove the collar, and give it time to heal. Neosporin is okay. Once kitty heals, give her a conditioning bath, dry her off and apply Advantage.

Answer 11

Oh my goodness! Just keep an eye on it. But, look, nobody uses flea collars anymore! Get your kitty some Revolution, Frontline or Advantage. These products are way better than those old fashioned flea collars.