New York – A German shepherd in New York who had the first confirmed case of Covid-19 in a dog in the United States died.
Robert and Allison Mahoney of Staten Island told National Geographic that their pastor Buddy, 7, developed respiratory problems in mid-April after Robert had been sick with the coronavirus for several weeks. A vet examined Buddy in May and found him positive for the virus.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in June that a German shepherd in New York State was the first dog in the country to test positive for COVID-19, but did not identify the owners.
Buddy’s health steadily declined after he developed breathing problems and thick nasal mucus in April. He was euthanized on July 11 after he started vomiting clotted blood, the Mahoneys told National Geographic.
It is unknown whether the coronavirus played a role in his death. Blood tests indicated that Buddy probably had lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, vets told the family.
A spokesman for the New York City Department of Health said arrangements were made to take the dog’s body for a necropsy, but when instructions were shared with the vet, the body had already been cremated.
A USDA database of confirmed animal coronavirus cases in the United States includes 12 dogs, 10 cats, a tiger, and a lion. The agency says there is currently no evidence that animals play a role in the spread of the coronavirus, but it appears that the virus can be passed from person to animal in some situations.
