Mower County Humane Society volunteers see all kinds of felines through the adoption process, but an unknown illness has MCHS volunteers perplexed.

MCHS volunteers don’t know why four cats out of its population of about 130 became sick with a disease that resulted in one cat dead and three on the mend after blood transfusions.

“It’s a mystery sometimes,” said Kelly Rush, MCHS volunteer. “That’s part of the risk that you have when you take in an animal.”

Rush said four cats in recent weeks suddenly became ill, though not at the same time. In each case, the cat seemed fine, but suddenly developed breathing problems and bloodshot eyes within a couple hours. One cat died, and each cat was taken to Austin Vet Clinic when it got sick. The three cats who survived needed blood transfusions and time to heal, but they seem to be a lot better, Rush said.

The cats haven’t been re-introduced to the normal cat area, as MCHS volunteers aren’t sure what’s causing the illness. Veterinarians were stumped as well, though they first thought the cats might have been poisoned. They sent the dead cat’s remains to a blood lab for testing.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll get an answer,” Rush said

Rush isn’t sure what happened, but she said test results will come in this week. Volunteers take great pains to vaccinate every cat once it’s admitted, and clean the shelter daily to make sure each cat is taken care of.

MCHS volunteers say November was a great month for adoptions, as 12 cats found new homes. No other cats have exhibited signs of the illness, and the once-sick kitties are on the mend, including one at Rush’s home.