(WHDH) – A German shepherd from New York who enjoyed hugging, long car rides, and swimming passed away after becoming the first dog in the United States to test positive for COVID-19, according to a new report.
Shortly before his seventh birthday in mid-April, Buddy began suffering from respiratory problems, National Geographic reported. On July 11, the adorable puppy died.
In June, the United States Department of Agriculture released a press release saying Buddy had probably contracted COVID-19 from its owner who had tested positive for the virus and “was expected to make a full recovery.”
National Geographic says a couple of independent vets reviewed the medical records provided by Buddy’s owners and learned that the dog he had developed had lymphoma.
“It is not clear if the cancer made him more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, or if the virus made him sick, or if it was just a case of synchronization,” the report said.
In the months leading up to his death, Buddy continued to lose weight, became increasingly lethargic, developed thick mucus in his nose, and began to gasp as he struggled to breathe.
Buddy’s owner Robert Mahoney told the media that he learned of his own positive test on Easter.
“Without a doubt, I thought [Buddy] it was positive too, “he said.
Buddy’s doctors initially doubted he had the virus, but in mid-May, a test confirmed it was positive for COVID-19.
The New York City Department of Health later confirmed that the samples collected from Buddy were positive for the virus.
Fewer than 25 pets have been diagnosed with COVID-19 compared to more than four million Americans.
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