Short Wave 1st U.S. Dog With COVID-19 Has Died, And There's A Lot We Still Don't Know
Aug 12, 2020
Natasha Daly, a wildlife reporter for National Geographic, shares the poignant story of Buddy, the first U.S. dog to test positive for COVID-19. She delves into the emotional struggles Buddy's family faced as they navigated his health battles during their own COVID-19 challenges. The conversation highlights the alarming gaps in our understanding of how the virus affects pets. Additionally, it emphasizes the need for better transparency in veterinary health data and reassures pet owners about transmission risks.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Buddy's Initial Symptoms and Diagnosis
- Buddy, a German shepherd, showed symptoms like heavy breathing and mucus.
- Vets initially dismissed the possibility of COVID-19, prescribing antibiotics.
Family's COVID-19 Concerns and Testing Challenges
- Buddy's family suspected COVID-19 due to their own illness.
- Getting Buddy tested proved challenging due to limited testing availability for animals.
Buddy's Positive Test and Deterioration
- Buddy's positive COVID-19 test was a landmark case, the first in the U.S..
- Despite initial optimism, Buddy's condition worsened, leading to his death.