What Are the Treatments for Feline AIDS & Skin Disorders?

Feline AIDS is one of the most common infectious diseases of cats that attacks the cat's immune system. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the virus affects 1 to 3 percent of all cats in the United States. The suppression of of the cat's immune system leads to secondary infections such as skin disorders. Treating these infections will increase the quality of life of the cat infected with feline AIDS.

  1. Feline AIDS Treatment

    • Feline AIDS is the terminal degree of feline immunodeficiency virus, or FIV, and there is not a cure. However, cats infected can survive for many years. Retrovirus positive cats should be spayed or neutered, should avoid a raw food diet and and should be kept indoors. In July 2002, the University of Florida licensed the FIV vaccine and it was made available through licensed practicing veterinarians in the United States. With an 84 percent efficiency rate, the vaccine can be administered to cats as young as 8 months old and provides protection for a minimum of 12 months.

    Ringworm Skin Infection

    • Ringworm is an infection of the skin and is not related to worms. It is a fungal infection that infects the superficial layers of skin, hair and claws. After it has been diagnosed by a veterinarian, treatment should be both by oral medication and by topical therapy on the cat's coat and skin. Applying a shampoo licensed for the topical treatment of ringworm in cats twice a week is recommended. To prevent further infections, a physical decontamination of the cat's living quarters is also recommended. The use of bleach to clean surfaces will kill the ringworm spores.

    Food Allergies

    • Having a food allergy is a common reason why a cat over-grooms itself and pulls out its fur. The cat experiences severe generalized itching, specially around the cat's head, and small crusts and scabs are present throughout its coat. To treat food allergies, the cat needs to go through dietary elimination trials. In these trials, the cat is fed a different protein source they haven't been fed before to obtain a definitive diagnosis. This process is slow; it may take weeks to identify the food causing the allergic reaction. Removing this food from the cat's diet is crucial for the skin condition to disappear.

    Psychogenic Alopecia

    • The cat's hair loss sometimes is not related to an external infection. Psychological factors such as fear, stress, anxiety or external factors such as the loss of a member of the family or the movement to a new home can provoke excessive grooming or hair chewing leading to hair loss. Anti-depressants or anti-anxiety medications are normally prescribed. This skin disorder can be treated with the help of a specialist, such as veterinarians, dermatologists and veterinarians who specialize in feline behavior.