Two mystery illnesses in shelter

September 7, 2010

Two unknown illnesses contributed to the euthanasia deaths of 200 cats and dogs in the Catawba County Animal Shelter.

Both cats and dogs in the shelter exhibited similar symptoms of high fever and vomiting, but the illnesses are not the same, said Catawba County Emergency Services Director Bryan Blanton on Tuesday in a presentation to the Catawba County Board of Commissioners.

The type of illness remains unknown, despite tests by animal shelter officials and outside veterinary laboratories. 

The tests checked the unknown illnesses for the presence of common shelter viruses, such as parvo and feline leukemia.

Seventy-six dogs and 67 cats were euthanized from Aug. 1-19 due to the illnesses.

On average, the shelter takes in about 23 animals a day. 

For more information about Blanton's animal shelter update to county commissioners, see the Wednesday edition of The O-N-E.