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Hero Dog Who Saved Owner’s Daughter and Niece Also Beats Cancer

Dec. 25, 2012 10:26pm Jason Howerton

Hero Dog Kabang Who Saved Owners Daughter and Niece Also Beats Cancer

File – In this August, 12, 2012 file photo provided by the University of California, Davis, a Bunggal family member plays with Kabang the dog in the Philippines. A veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, has some good news about a dog from the Philippines who became an international hero after sacrificing its snout to save two young girls. Veterinarian Gina Davis says the dog named Kabang appears to have beaten the cancer it was suffering from. Credit: AP

DAVIS, Calif. (TheBlaze/AP) — A veterinarian at the University of California, Davis, has some good news about a dog from the Philippines who became an international hero after sacrificing her snout to save two young girls.

After completing six weekly intravenous chemotherapy infusions, Kabang appears to have beaten the cancer she was suffering from, Gina Davis, the primary care veterinarian at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis, told the San Francisco Chronicle.

The dog, however, is still facing treatment for heartworms in her arteries before she can have the gaping wound on her face closed. Full treatment of that condition was put on hold during cancer therapy.

Kabang – a female mongrel – had the first of three arsenic-based heartworm shots on Dec. 4 and is expected to receive the other two in the second week of January, Davis said.

“It will be one to two months for her to recover from that before she goes in and has the surgery,” Davis said.

In this Oct. 11, 2012 photo provided by the University of California – Davis, Dr. Anton Lim plays with Kabang the dog after its intake exam at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at UC Davis in Davis, Calif. Kabang lost her snout and upper jaw when she leapt in front of a motorcycle to save two little girls in the Philippines. UC Davis surgeons say Kabang will need multiple surgeries, but they are confident they can improve its condition. Credit: AP

Kabang had her snout and upper jaw sheared off when she jumped in front of a speeding motorcycle, saving her owner’s daughter and niece from serious injury or death, according to newspaper reports in the Philippines.

The dog 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. Veterinarians in the Philippines were apparently unable to treat her injuries.

Surgeons are planning to perform two or three procedures. The first will involve dental work, extractions and covering exposed roots.

They will then try to close the dog’s wound and restore nasal functions. The dog’s bony structures are currently exposed to air, increasing the chance of infection, Davis said.

Kabang may return to the Philippines in May or June. The bill for her treatment is expected to top $10,000.

Davis said despite Kabang’s many conditions, the dog appears to be in good spirits.

“She has come through everything very well,” Davis said. “Her appetite is still good. She’s still bright and happy.

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Comments (54)

OhSnappage
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 8:02pm
I am disappointed by anyone willing to just give up on this loving dog. We must not just discard a creature because it’s the easiest choice, less maintenance, to just wash our hands of the trials of caring for a creature that was willing to sacrifice all for “her pack”. This dog is a fighter and they are family. Family means something to some people, even this dog get it, and is devoted to it.

Great story which should be told everywhere. This dog is a hero, this family is herioc, americans need to be reminded the value of life and family and this is a beautiful story.

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- ZengaPA65
  Posted on December 27, 2012 at 4:24pm
  Let’s make you live like that.
  
  Report this comment
KEELHAULUM
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 2:12pm
PETA destroys 95% of all the animals it takes in each year. AAhahahah ha hah ah ha ha!

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Tigress1
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:49pm
Poor doggy, but I know that is the wrong response. Just because an animal is difficult for us to look at, that doesn’t mean that it wants to die. Pity would probably be the worst thing for this dog. However, it is difficult to know when it is suffering too much, but how on earth can it eat? Breathing must be an ordeal! The dog is a hero though!

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Halloween
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:36pm
Put the dog down. Prolonging the life of this dog is only condemning it to the suffering life of a circus act.

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- GoodStuff
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:41pm
  agreed, say your last goodbyes, pet it one more time…and put it down.
  
  Report this comment
- peeoui
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 1:12pm
  I disagree. Dog appears happy. And this is the way that doctors learn. I work in a hospital with neonatal unit. A lot of those babies you know just aren’t going to make it, but what if we just said well this infant just is miserable and isn’t going to make it so we will just end treatment. Doctors learn, difficult cases really increase learning.
  
  Report this comment
- corbecket
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:46pm
  Amusing approach to life. Of course, I’m sure you’d wish the same on a human that had the same cancer, and operation. There are diseases that are far more cruel, painful, and prolonged than this dog’s problems.
  
  I’m grateful that this reflexive urge to “put down” animals with incurable conditions, was not extended to humans (there are those in the government that would). If so, I rather expect I would have joined the dead 25 years ago.
  
  Still living, still smiling, still raising a family, and still off the government dole. I might add that this is more than one can say for many in our society that have no physical afflictions at all. :-)
  
  Report this comment
- RemoteCoderz
  Posted on December 27, 2012 at 9:51am
  @PEEOUI “I disagree. Dog appears happy” What part of that face, indicates happiness? I mean, sure, the dog has half a perma-smile, but it’s not like he/she has a choice here. Wow. Check your eyesight pal.
  
  Report this comment
TonyRUS
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:33pm
To spend any more than a minimal amount of money keeping your own personal animal, while millions of children around the world are dying for lack of food, clean water, and operations of their own, strikes me as highly misplaced priorities and incredible selfishness, i don’t care what you think the animal has done for YOU YOU YOU.

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- Tigress1
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 1:10pm
  Everything is not always about money. However, if you have problems with someone spending their OWN money to save their dog, then you must also have problems with people spending money on other personal things. Where do you draw the line? When is something a waste of money? Why should anyone live in anything better than a shack – after all there ARE still homeless people in the world! Why should you go out for a steak dinner when there are poor children eating Ramen noodles?
  Other people are chipping in to save this dog. That shows a certain compassion for fellow living creatures – even if some of us disagree about whether the dog should be kept alive. Compassion is simply a sign of humanity. How can this be bad?
  
  Report this comment
- A. James
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 2:20pm
  Hey Tony, quit dictating what I do in my personal life.
  
  Report this comment
- TonyRUS
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 6:00pm
  This site seeks opinions. This is mine. I did not say it should be against the law to spend your own money anyway you want. Where do i draw the line, you ask? I don’t know, but i do know when it has obviously been crossed. A couple buys a 10,000 sqft house, or 10 cars, or vacation homes across the globe, i question their priorities. That is all. They are of course free to do it, and i want to keep it that way. it still shows where their priorities are. But of course, you don’t want to judge……ANYTHING…..right? You seriously want to avoid all negative opinion on cancer treatment and facial reconstruction for an animal?
  
  Report this comment
- Tigress1
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 11:05pm
  I just don’t think this particular case is one that should be judged. If a person wants to try to save an animal that rescued not one, but TWO CHILDREN, and the vets feel it is in the animal’s best interest, then that person is not being selfish or has misplaced priorities. However, whatever is done, should be for the ANIMAL’S welfare in this particular case. The animal certainly doesn’t need to suffer pain unless it can have some decent quality of life after recovery.
  
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sizzler2220
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 11:50am
This is just cruelty to an animal. Where is PETA?

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- stumpy68
  Posted on December 27, 2012 at 1:43pm
  Killing animals so they wont have to undergo the humiliation
  of being owned
  
  Report this comment
Aristacah
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 11:20am
Great story and I love animals! However, I’m concerned about the quality of life this animal will have. Sometimes, the kindest thing to do is put the animal down and in this case, give it your thanks and let it go on to a peaceful rest.

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SquirrelNYC
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:47am
This is another one of those great stories that remind you that animals do have a soul and a conscience. Dogs are the perfect examples of this. There’s a reason humans have formed such a close bond with them. From what the pictures show, she still seems like a happy dog. I can definitely understand how one could have doubts about putting this dog through more pain than she has already experienced. If she was my dog, I would likely have her euthanized. On the other hand though, as long as there are caring people who have the time and money to properly care for her, and as long as her quality of life is not affected aside from smell and eating on her own, who knows how helping this dog can eventually help other animals (or even people) with similar injuries? I hope this dog remains in good spirits and that she is well taken care of.

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weareskrewed
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:37am
Does anyone know for sure this is real ? After the eagle snatching kid scam; I just don’t believe these stories anymore…

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sligresda
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:33am
oh for the love of pete, put the dog down! how many dogs are out there who need loving families. why would it want to live like this!!! this is coming from someone who loves dogs much more than people too!

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jcizarter
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 9:28am
Heartworm treatment shortens dogs’ lives. My Chow died way before her time and the vet said she probably would. She was about five years old. My next dog did not get anything but spayed and rabies shots. She lived until she was 15 years old and she got a disease from Chinese dog food in 2005. She had a very good quality of life with lots of exercise (she was not fenced in). She was an outdoor dog. Then when the Chinese started selling ingredients to Canada that was in turn put into dog food sold here, her health went way downhill and the vet could not save her after 2 years of treatment.
My animals do not get heart worm pills. They do get very high quality dog food with no additives and lots of good pro-biotics, they are not fenced in and get to roam and they do eat wild life when it is available.

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sizzlinsexybeckster
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 9:21am
I love you doggy! I’m glad the dog is happy and I hope if they don’t have the money for the surgery that someone could secretly donate the money (hint hint wink wink) to the hospital in the name of this dog for his surgery. This dog saved those two girls, now it’s time to save the dog.

Glenn and his family recently lost their dog. I think it would be a good idea to donate money to save this dog and help him get surgery. It would also help your kids mourn for your dog by knowing that they are helping this dog by even donating money to this dog in the name of your past doggy. With your kids knowing they are helping out another dog, it would just make them feel warm in their heart, also remembering their memories with their dog. I think your late dog Victor would highly approve of this message. R.I.P.

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- M-Theory
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:19pm
  Or instead of your being so free with other people’s money, maybe you could donate a lot of your own money to help this self-sacrificing dog.
  
  Report this comment
J. David
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 8:43am
Honestly, Who cares about this ugly mutt? Why do you guys put stories like this on The Blaze?

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- KickinBack
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 8:57am
  Just so everyone can laugh at the foolish whiners like yourself. Ha Ha!
  
  Report this comment
- Crazy Times
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 9:05am
  @ J. David,
  
  Stop telling us what your family tells you every day.
  
  Report this comment
- BehindBlueEyes
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 9:06am
  @J. DAVID
  For most of us its a moving story of mans best friend. To others who are dopes like yourself its annoying. Kinda like a win win story.
  
  Report this comment
- GuruMeditation
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:12am
  Pretty disgusting. They should have let the dog go.
  
  Report this comment
- Gavinwcaf
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:36am
  To give Fascist Liberals like you something to write about.
  
  Report this comment
Frederick_Douglass_Republican
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 8:36am
Maybe they could post the story after the dog gets its face (somewhat) put back together? I’ve got enough horror in my mind from recent events. I don’t need to see this now you idiots

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Stoic one
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 6:39am
This dog belongs in doggie Heaven. What a hero. I have had to put down two extremely ancient dogs that lived their lives at my side.

It is heartbreaking, but needs to be done.

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CatherineAnn
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 1:30am
I would put this dog down. Cancer treatment is so hard on the liver and the heartworm treatment is worse. Then you put the dog under for the operation and that is a big risk for the dog. You could end up with a dog who’s kidneys don’t work after all that. You also can’t tell me the dog is not in pain. The dog looks older too and that has to be a factor. I have 5 dogs and through my life I have lost many. It is always difficult but no one beats death. That money should be spent on the thousands of homeless dogs out there just like this one.

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- Jake Dog2
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 5:51am
  As I stated below I agree.
  
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Gizmo2Cocoa1
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 1:19am
In Hebrew the word for dog is Kelev, which also means Heart <3

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- yonah
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:27pm
  sorry,but lev in Hebrew is heart,not kelev.
  
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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:37am
God I love this Country.. Time and again we see what God’s Country can and will do simply because she can.

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NOTAMUSHROOM
Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:06am
Puhleese do not send this poor little angel back to the Phillipines. She’s saved in America and should live in America.

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- Aristacah
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 11:22am
  She belongs with her family if she belongs anywhere. I personally believe the dog deserves better than the suffering the surgeries will bring and she should be allowed to die peacefully.
  
  Report this comment
banjarmon
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 11:14pm
Dog …GOD spelled backwards….Man ‘s BEST Friend!

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- MacWell
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 5:37am
  God gave us dogs to remind us of how GREAT His love is. You can beat a dog half to death and he/she will come back and lick your hand. Show me a human that will do that.
  
  Report this comment
- Aristacah
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 11:24am
  NOT man’s best friend. Look at all the people they maim and kill. It seems like every other month you learn of a baby being killed by a dog. That’s not what best friends do.
  
  Report this comment
pavepaws
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 11:07pm
Wow. Talk about adversity.

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Jake Dog2
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:56pm
Yes we can learn for our dog friends. The one in the pic raised 3 cats and two dogs. Not bad for daddy.He had a good life.

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whatthecrazy
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:47pm
Wow Mans best friend,we can actually learn from them too.What a little brave hero.

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dovndce
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:43pm
Dogs are truly “man’s best friend”. I hope this brave guy (canine) lives a long and happy life with those he saved.

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Jake Dog2
Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:43pm
I’m sorry but I could not do that to any of my dogs I own or have owned. A major part of a dog’s life is smelling the other is chewing which this poor dog can not do.I’m not even sure how he eats. One wonders if it was done more so the humans would feel good about themselves.

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- Jake Dog2
  Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:48pm
  I have had to put dogs down and it was one of the hardest things I have to do so I understand. I had to do what I felt was best for dear and loved dog friends.
  
  Report this comment
- Jake Dog2
  Posted on December 25, 2012 at 10:52pm
  One of the dogs I had to put down is the one in this pic. it is very had to do.
  
  Report this comment
- Wisdom7
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 12:32am
  I agree completely. This is cruel to the dog. I would have had it euthanized.
  
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- Johnny Cocheroo
  Posted on December 26, 2012 at 10:15am
  Agreed.
  
  The time to put your dog down, is when your dog cannot be a dog. The decision is difficult and makes the heart heavy – but its the right thing to do.
  
  Report this comment
- RemoteCoderz
  Posted on December 27, 2012 at 9:49am
  I couldn’t agree more. This is an injustice to the dog. To keep it alive after something so devastating only serves to feed your own selfish interests. Man up and do what is right for your pet, don’t make them suffer any more than they have to. Dogs were not meant to live this way. If they were, they would all be made this way.
  
  Report this comment

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