The seven-year-old German shepherd named Buddy (pictured) from Staten Island in New York, passed away after a three-month illness battle.
Two vets, who had not treated Buddy, but reviewed his medical records for National Geographic, told the publication that the dog probably had cancer.
It is unclear if Buddy died from complications connected to the killer virus or lymphoma he may have had, National Geographic reports.
The magazine reported: "It's unclear whether cancer made him more susceptible to contracting the coronavirus, or if the virus made him ill, or if it was just a case of coincidental timing."
Buddy's owner Robert Mahoney tested positive for Covid-19 in the spring and when the dog fell ill in April he suspected he had the virus too.
However it wasn't until mid-May that the family found a vet who was prepared to test him.
The test confirmed Buddy was infected with the virus.
Mr Mahoney's wife Allison told the National Geographic: "You tell people that your dog was positive, and they look at you (as if you have) ten heads."
The US Department of Agriculture confirmed Buddy was the first dog to test positive for the coronavirus in the US on June 2.
They reported at the time that he would make a full recovery but Buddy's health deteriorated.
On July 11, Mrs Mahoney told National Geographic that she found Buddy throwing up clotted blood.
She said: "It looked like it was his insides coming out. He had it all over. It was coming from his nose and mouth. We knew there was nothing that could be done for him from there. What are you going to do for a dog with this? But he had the will to live. He didn't want to go."
Buddy was put to sleep to end his suffering.
According to the USDA, less than 25 dogs and cats are confirmed to be infected with coronavirus in the US.
First dog to test positive for coronavirus after owner fell ill has died
Health & Science
By Mirror| 3yrs ago | 2 min read
.
Trending Now
- Jurists demand an end to doctors strike
- There are no funds to meet your demands, Amoth on doctors' strike
- Dr Edith Kwobah remained stoic despite battling lung cancer at stage four
- Jacaranda Health banks on Cynthia Kahumbura to drive sustainability, operations
- Mask up, maintain social distance; Ministry says amid rise in flu cases
- The controversial life of Brian Chira
- Elsa Majimbo issues apology after intimate video leak
- Motoring: The rising popularity of the Mazda Axela in Kenya
- Women get training on breastfeeding best practices
- Saitabao Kanchory: If Raila had listened to me he would be the president
.
Popular this week
- Can new UAE trade pact help Nairobi to be the 'Dubai of Africa'?
- There are no funds to meet your demands, Amoth on doctors' strike
- Mask up, maintain social distance; Ministry says amid rise in flu cases
- Brian Chira is dead
- Jurists demand an end to doctors strike
- Dr Edith Kwobah remained stoic despite battling lung cancer at stage four
- Jacaranda Health banks on Cynthia Kahumbura to drive sustainability, operations
- Death snatched my wife right before my eyes
- Dr Patrick Amoth, the longest-acting Health director general
- How free SMS alerts have reduced maternal, neonatal deaths in counties
Previous article
.
Similar Articles
By Esther Nyambura
2024-03-27 20:30:00
By Patrick Vidija
2024-03-27 14:45:22
.
Latest Articles
Health & Science
By David Njaaga
2024-03-28 20:30:00
Health & Science
2024-03-27 20:30:00
Health & Science
2024-03-27 14:45:22
Health & Science
2024-03-27 07:45:43
.