Hi Everyone

My name is Linz and this is my first visit to the Pet Forums page. My cat B.A has FIV and I adopted him from the rescue centre last August. Although he is between 5-6 years old, to me he is brand new and I'm not used to his ways with regard to molting patterns etc.

B.A is a big black domestic breed moggy and he is absolutely lovely and handome and has the most gentle nature. He is FIV positive but not showing any obvious symptoms.

For the last month or so he has been molting excessively leaving clumps of black fur everywhere. The thing is, I have never seen him clean himself - not at all like any other cat I've known or owned, and I'm starting to suspect he looks shabby because he can't be bothered to clean. He has a smudge of something on the bridge of his nose that's been there for 4 days (he won't let me wipe his face). He is LAZY!

I took him to the vet to check him over as his coat condition is so scurfy and she said the only thing that might help is a flea and worm treatment which he had and it made no difference. He doesn't seem unhappy or bothered by it and eats normally and is content.

B.A is a house-cat because of his FIV and I wonder if this is why he won't clean himself. His claws are also very sharp, not that he scratches.

Anyways I wonder if there is anything I should be doing other than brushing him? I easily brush off a golfball sized clump of fur every day. The fur around his hind legs and bum is particularly clumpy and unclean - yuck.

Any help greatly appreciated please.

Linz XXXX