A deer that was “acting strangely” and euthanized last month tested negative for chronic wasting disease, a
The deer was spotted Aug. 24 drooling and spinning in circles near West Third Avenue and 17th Street. La Plata County Animal Control killed the animal and sent samples to a lab to be tested for chronic wasting disease.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife spokesman Joe Lewandowski said because testing is expensive, no other diseases were looked for at the lab in Fort Collins, so it’s unclear why the animal displayed unusual behavior.
“As is the case with humans, there are various diseases that affect animals too,” he said. “But chronic wasting disease is the one we’re most concerned about in this instance.”
Chronic wasting disease is an infectious disease that affects the brain and nervous system of members of the deer family, usually causing the animal to lose coordination and starve.
In July, a deer was found carrying the disease in Montrose, the first confirmed case in Southwest Colorado, though it’s been present in the state for more than 30 years.