Glaucoma is sometimes seen, as well. It may be due to cancer, bacterial infection, parasitic infestation or FIV itself. Because of the immunodeficiency, parasites, yeast and bacteria overgrow and cause symptoms such as hair loss, itching, and pustules . Demodectic and notoedric mange , which are unusual in healthy cats may be seen. Chronic ear mite infections and aggressive ringworm lesions have also been reported.
Chronic abscesses can also occur.
Lymph nodes in the abdomen and other parts of the body are often enlarged. Haemobartonella felis , a parasite of red blood cells, may be responsible for many of these cases. The exact mechanism for this is unknown. We may see anemia and decreased numbers of white blood cells in ill cats. A certain protein, called globulin, may be elevated in FIV-infected cats.