Hero dog at UC Davis appears to have beaten cancer, vet says

A veterinarian at UC Davis says a dog from the Philippines who became an international hero after sacrificing her snout to save two young girls may have beaten cancer.

Veterinarian Gina Davis tells the San Francisco Chronicle the dog, named Kabang, appears to have beaten the cancer she was suffering from. Kabang, however, is still facing treatment for heartworms in her arteries before it can have the gaping wound on its face closed. (Note: A photo of Kabang appears on the second page of this post. Some readers may find the image disturbing.)

Newspapers in the Philippines have reported that Kabang's snout and upper jaw were sheared off when she jumped in front of a speeding motorcycle, saving her owner's daughter and niece who were apparently about to be hit.

Kabang ended up in Davis earlier this year after a nurse from Buffalo, N.Y., spearheaded a fundraising campaign to bring her to the U.S.

The muzzle-less mongrel is facing a drawn-out series of treatments for the heartworms in her arteries, the Chronicle reported. When that is all done, Kabang will be rolled in for the cosmetic surgery she traveled more than 7,000 miles to get.

Photo: A family member plays with Kabang the dog in the Philippines in Aug. Credit: Anton Lim / UC Davis