Hero Dog Who Lost Face In Philippines Arrives At UC Davis For Surgeries
DAVIS (CBS13) - A dog who had part of her face ripped off when it jumped into the path of a motorcyclist in the Philippines has arrived at UC Davis to receive medical care.
The dog, named Kabang, lost her snout and upper jaw when she leapt in the path of a motorcycle that was heading into the path of two young girls, the daughter of the dog's owner and her cousin, in December. The dog's face became embedded in the bike's front wheel and her nose and top of her jaw were ripped away when the bike flipped.
Her veterinarian in the Philippines treated her with antibiotics, but she needs major reconstructive surgery.
An independent, international donation campaign raised the $20,000 to bring Kabang and her veterinarian to the United States for a consultation with veterinary reconstructive surgery specialists at UC Davis' William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.
Kabang and Anton Mari H. Lim landed at Los Angeles International Airport late Monday and arrived at UC Davis on Tuesday.
During an hour-long preliminary exam Thursday, veterinary surgeons Boaz Arzi and Frank Verstraete assessed Kabang's overall condition and conducted blood and urine tests.
"We are pleased with what we discovered today," Verstraete said. "We are confident we can improve her condition going forward."
Based on preliminary discussions, Arzi and Verstraete anticipate that Kabang will need at least two surgeries. The first likely would focus on dental work. The second would attempt to close the gaping wound on the dog's face, protecting her from infection and improving her quality of life, the school said.
Kabang is expected to be at UC Davis for at least six weeks.
Follow Kabang's progress: www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/small_animal/kabang
