Buddy, first dog to test positive for COVID-19 in the U.S., has died

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

BUDDY LIKED DOG stuff: running through the sprinklers, going on long car rides, swimming in the lake. He cuddled the Mahoneys—his owners and family—at the end of tough days. He humored them when they dressed him up as a bunny for Halloween. He was a protective big brother to 10-month-old Duke, the family’s other German shepherd. He loved everyone. He lived up to his name.

In mid-April, right before his seventh birthday, Buddy began struggling to breathe.

Six weeks later, he became the first dog in the United States to be confirmed positive for SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. On July 11, Buddy died.

Medical records provided by the Mahoneys and reviewed for National Geographic by two veterinarians who were not involved in his treatment indicate that Buddy likely had lymphoma, a type of cancer, which would explain the symptoms he suffered just before his death. 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 family, like thousands of families grappling with the effects of the coronavirus around the world, is left with many questions and few answers.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2020/07/first-dog-to-test-positive-for-covid-in-us-dies/?cmpid=org=ngp::mc=crm-email::src=ngp::cmp=editorial::add=SpecialEdition_COVIDPET_20200729&rid=FB26C926963C5C9490D08EC70E179424

[greenjar_01]

1. FUUUUCK

[JI7]

2. I thought dogs and other animals were safe from this.

[LisaL]

4. This dog had cancer, so probably just like humans with cancer,

he was much more in danger than your regular healthy dog from covid.

[niyad]

9. Sadly, no. I believe that a tiger at one of the zoos also had it.

[soothsayer]

11. And several cats but none have died

[niyad]

12. I am glad to hear that.

[soothsayer]

13. I think one had a cough though

[Lasher]

23. Update: Bronx Zoo Tigers and Lions Recovering from COVID-19

New York, April 22, 2020 – The following update was issued by WCS’s Bronx Zoo today:

On April 5, 2020, we reported that a four-year-old female Malayan tiger had tested positive for COVID-19 and three other tigers and three African lions were showing similar symNew York, April 22, 2020

Samples for testing from the tiger, Nadia, were collected from her nose, throat, and respiratory tract while she was under anesthesia. Subsequently, we can confirm that the three other tigers in Tiger Mountain and the three African lions that exhibited a cough have also tested positive for COVID-19. This testing was done by using a fecal sample test developed by our laboratory partners that does not require the animals be placed under anesthesia. The fecal tests confirmed our suspicion that all seven cats had the infection, and also determined that one tiger at Tiger Mountain that never developed a cough was also positive for the disease.

<snip>

All eight cats continue to do well. They are behaving normally, eating well, and their coughing is greatly reduced.

<snip>

None of the zoo’s snow leopards, cheetahs, clouded leopard, Amur leopard, puma or serval are showing any signs of illness. Our cats were infected by a staff person who was asymptomatically infected with the virus or before that person developed symptoms. Preventive measures are now in place for all staff who are caring for them, and the other cats in our four WCS zoos, to prevent further exposure of any of our felids in our zoos to the disease.

https://newsroom.wcs.org/News-Releases/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/14084/Update-Bronx-Zoo-Tigers-and-Lions-Recovering-from-COVID-19.aspx

[Lasher]

19. A tiger came down with it earlier this year.

If memory serves, it was in the Bronx Zoo. Hope he made it.

[abqtommy]

3. Buddy, RIP...

[uponit7771]

5. 2020 to the world: The beatings will continue until morale improves

[niyad]

6. Lady of the Beasts, please take Uour little one gently home in your loving arms, and send

Peace and comfort, and answers, to his loved ones.

[Dennis Donovan]

7. Lymphoma can kill a dog in 2 months

I know, because I lost my airedale in about that amount of time from diagnosis to his death.

[MustLoveBeagles]

21. We lost our beagle within a few weeks of diagnosis

[Raine]

8. R-I-P Buddy 💔 😪 nt

[Karadeniz]

10. Cross the rainbow bridge, Buddy, you'll love the other side!❤

[Lucinda]

14. ❤️ ✿❧✿❧✿ ❤️

[smirkymonkey]

15. Oh no! Poor little Buddy!

Sweet dreams, baby pupper! You were an angel on earth.

[StarryNite]

16. R.I.P. Buddy

[SunSeeker]

17. Oh man. That's awful. And ominous. nt

[BigmanPigman]

18. I blame tRump!!!!!!

My baby died 8 weeks ago and I am still devastated. If she'd died from something related to Covid you would have to tell the fucking moron to hire more Secret Service since I would travel 3,000 miles to ring his fat, fat, FAT neck (if my hands could reach around it).

[MustLoveBeagles]

20. RIP Buddy

[summer_in_TX]

22. Cr%&!

We have a seven year old dog named Buddy ourselves. That's terrifying news.

Our Buddy came scratching at our door Christmas night 2015 wearing an orange collar but no tags. We put up signs all over, let the vets office know, and posted his picture on Facebook and to our local dog rescue group. No luck. At the time my husband was very sure we shouldn't have any more dogs so it would be easier to travel. Our last died four years earlier.

After two weeks of looking for his owner, we had to decide to take him to the dog rescue place so they could get him adopted or keep him. Luckily we kept him. At the time although both of us were retired I was a more than full-time volunteer away all day at least five days a week. Buddy has been a huge blessing for us both, but especially my husband who was feeling lonely and down due to my long days away and some health issues.

Buddy rescued us really. Whatever did we do to deserve dogs? (not original but my favorite quote about dogs and their unconditional love)