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Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick thought he might die after contracting coronavirus for a second time

NORTHWICH, ENGLAND - JUNE 18:  Profesor Noel Fitzpatrick hosts DogFest north at Arley Hall on June 18, 2017 in Northwich, England.  (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Profesor Noel Fitzpatrick hosts DogFest 2017 (Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)

Supervet's Noel Fitzpatrick thought he was going to die after battling COVID-19 for a second time earlier this year.

Appearing on This Morning today from his practice in Surrey, he told hosts Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond that he feared for his life: “I had COVID last March and again I had COVID just a few weeks ago and I thought I was going to die.”

“This time was real tough.”

“I was like paralysed with muscle and joint pain, and just as a warning to people out there be careful, be respectful, we're not out of it yet.”

EMBARGOED TO 0001 FRIDAY JUNE 25, 2010 Noel Fitzpatrick, neuro-orthopaedic surgeon, with Oscar the cat who he has given a pair of prosthetic paws, at Fitzpatrick Referrals in Eashing, Surrey.
Noel Fitzpatrick, neuro-orthopaedic surgeon, with Oscar the cat who he has given a pair of prosthetic paws (PA)

O’Leary and Hammond looked visibly shocked at the revelation, with Hammond letting out an audible “Oh God” at the news.

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Read: Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick says he's had 'pretty bad' case of COVID

The Irish vet said Ricochet and dog Ciara were responsible for helping him battle the illness:

“When I was lying in bed three weeks ago and I thought I was going to die, when Ricochet held my hand and Ciara looked up at me, I felt like I wanted to keep going.”

Fitzpatrick, 53, looked drained as he posted a video on Instagram opening up about being exhausted following his health battle and urged people to be careful not to contract the virus.

He said: 'I wanted to reach out and say thank you for your good wishes."

"Some of you will know I've had COVID pretty bad these last couple of weeks

"It's a horrible dose and leaves you very exhausted so I guess what I wanted to say is: 'We're not done with this thing and you've got to look after each other.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 03: Professor Noel Fitzpatrick at The National Pet Show at NEC Arena on November 03, 2018 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick at The National Pet Show at NEC Arena on November 03, 2018 (Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage)

"You've gotta observe the rules, wear your masks and observe social distancing and importantly get your vaccine if you can."

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He continued: "Because this is a bad disease and it really takes it out [of you] and I can't emphasise enough that you've got to be careful still."

"If you can, give your animals a cuddle, that always makes things better but take care of each other."

"We're not done till we're done so do the right thing, look after each other and thank you so much for looking out for me. God bless."

The Channel 4 star appeared on This Morning to promote an upcoming live virtual event, based on his book How Animals Saved My Life which details how his dog Ciara helped him recover from depression.

Professor Noel Fitzpatrick enjoying a rare day out at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, Lincolnshire, with one of the 40,000 dogs which attended the four day event this week. (Photo by Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)
Professor Noel Fitzpatrick enjoying a rare day out at the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials, Stamford, Lincolnshire. (Steve Parsons/PA Images via Getty Images)

“In this consulting room I see the collective trauma and grieving and depression that goes with lockdown, and we're coming out now but please be careful.”

“Having COVID and thinking I was going to die like some of the patients in this consulting room, the idea for the virtual chat is how do we deal with that, what values do we have collectively to get us through these difficult times.”

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