Manila: Doctors at the University of California, Davis are confident on improving hero dog Kabang’s condition after examining the injured canine after her October 1 arrival in the US.
“We are pleased with what we discovered today,” veterinary surgeon Frank Verstraete was quoted as saying by the UC-Davis news and information website. “We are confident we can improve her condition going forward.”
Kabang lost her snout and suffered a shattered upper jaw when she saved two children from being run over by a motor tricycle last December in Zamboanga City. The mixed-breed Filipino dog’s actions gained publicity all over the world and a campaign raised $22,000 for her treatment.
Verstraete conducted an hour-long examination on Kabang along with fellow veterinary surgeon Boaz Arzi.
“Kabang has suffered catastrophic injuries to her face,” Arzi said. “While we had consulted over photos and video, we were not able to make a proper determination of the care we would be able to offer Kabang until we examined her in person.”
Verstraete and Arzi, who are members of the world-reknowned dentistry and oral surgery service faculty at UC Davis’ William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, say Kabang will require two operations. The first will likely focus on dental work while the second would attempt to close the gaping wound on the dog’s face, protecting her from infection and improving her quality of life.
Kabang is expected to stay at UC Davis for at least six weeks.
However, the UC-Davis website emphasised that, contrary to media rumours, there were no plans to fit Kabang with a prosthetic snout or new jaw,
