A German shepherd,'Buddy', that was the first confirmed instance of this novel coronavirus infection in a pet in america has expired, according to a report.

In June, the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) had declared that the pet being the first pet in America testing positive for the virus SARS-CoV-2 behind the COVID-19 pandemic.

Before the dog showing signs, among its owners, Robert Mahoney, had tested positive for COVID-19, and yet another had symptoms consistent with the virus.

The owners told National Geographic that Buddy developed breathing problems at mid-April after Mahoney had been sick with the novel coronavirus for many weeks.

According to the report, Buddy's health declined steadily after he developed breathing problems and thick nasal mucus in April, and he was euthanised on July 11 after he began vomiting clotted blood.

Although it is unknown whether the SARS-CoV-2 virus played a role in Buddy's death, blood tests suggested the dog may have experienced lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system.

According to the USDA, there is currently no signs that animals play a substantial role in spreading the coronavirus.

However, the novel coronavirus may spread from people to animals in certain situations.

The evidence for this was reported in an analysis of two dogs in Hong Kong, published in May in the journal Nature, showing signs of infection with the virus.