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My dog loses fur every summer. What causes seasonal hair loss?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My 8 year old dog Buster loses his fur every summer (sometimes it looks like he's a giant rat) and it grows back in the winter should i be concerned? What should i do to treat it? He already goes to the vet and the medicine they give him doesn't seem to work the only thing it works for is the itching. The vet says they cant do anything about it, and im very concerned!!!!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 11th, 2020

Do you have any photos you can post? it is hard to say what may be going on. It may be seasonal alopecia, it could be pemphigus or some other autoimmune disorder. It could be from an endocrine disease (thyroid, cushing's, etc). It could be hormone related. It could just be a severe seasonal allergy. I will not be able to tell you via the internet. If you are very concerned it is best to take him to a veterinary dermatology specialist when he is actually showing symptoms. They may need to do a biopsy or some allergy testing. This dermatologist is far from you but they can maybe recommend a closer one or they say they have telemedicine available but they may want to see him at least once before you can do telemedicine follow-ups. I don't know. You will have to contact them for more information.

( https://vetdermcs.com/ )
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