Mystery animal deaths alarm McAllen neighborhood

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Erica Elizondo and a few of her neighbors care for a community of cats in their neighborhood. Last Monday, she noticed one of the cats had gone from behaving normally to becoming extremely weak in the matter of a day. 

She took the cat to the vet, where it was determined it had contracted Panleukopenia, a viral infection that lives in grass and soil. It is highly contagious and spreads through direct contact with an infected cat or contaminated surfaces.

Since then, over 35 cats and counting have died along with some dogs, birds, and squirrels.

Panleukopenia can only be contracted by cats. However, other animals have also died, which makes it unknown what could be the source of these deaths. 

Elizondo reached out to McAllen Animal Care and the McAllen Police Department for testing to be done to determine what is killing these animals. She has invested her own time and money into medical treatment, but has yet to receive any solid answer on a solution. 

“I’m the one as a resident who has alerted McAllen, animal control, commissioners, and the police department about this pandemic. It’s been my money that has been spent, like $3,000 on testing," Elizondo said.

Elizondo has had to take many precautionary measures to ensure her pets do not get contaminated. She says she can not even let her cats and dogs go outside out of fear they may contract harm out there.

The city of McAllen released a statement today that says the following:

"We encourage residents to consult directly with their veterinarians for guidance on how best to protect their pets from illness or environmental hazards."

The statement adds:

"The testing and surveillance of animal-borne viruses fall under the jurisdiction of state public health agencies, such as the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Zoonosis Control Branch of the Texas Department of State Health Services."

ValleyCentral spoke with Veterinarian Dr. Steven Bentsen with Nolana Animal Hospital in McAllen. Dr. Bentsen believes it is neither panleukopenia nor poison that is killing these animals. He says the only way to get an idea of the cause of death is to perform a necropsy, which is an animal version of an autopsy.

To read the full statement, click the following link.