Dog that Lost Snout: Heroic Pup Saves Two Young Girls in the Philippines, Arrives in California for Surgery and Chemo Treatment [DETAILS]

A dog that risked her own life to save two young girls in the Philippines lost her snout and jaw after jumping in front of a speeding motorcycle. The heroic pup, Kabang, then became a viral international hit - since veterinarians in the Philippines were unable to treat the injury, an online campaign was started to help raise money to send the mixed-breed canine to Northern California and UC Davis. Kabang finally arrived in the States this week, but before undergoing corrective surgery, vets at UC Davis report that she must first be treated for heartworm and chemotherapy.

The veterinarian staff at UC Davis said in a recent press conference that they have never seen such a unique and bizarre case like that of Kabang's - the pup who fell victim to a near-fatal motorcycle crash in order to save her owner's young daughter and niece. Kabang initially arrived in California to undergo facial reconstruction, but vets discovered that Kabang also suffers from heartworm disease and a potentially aggressive vaginal tumor. According to the animal clinic's director Dr. Jane Sykes, treatment of those conditions could take up to six months.

If those treatments prove successful, vets at UC Davis will then perform surgery (including dental) on Kabang's face in order to close and heal her massive wound. All costs will be covered by Kabang's donors and supporters. As of now, there are no plans to replace Kabang's missing snout with a prosthetic jaw.

"It's an interesting phenomenon that has occurred with this dog," Sykes said. "The story has touched so many people. It's fascinating that it has attracted so much attention when, yes, there are lots of dogs in shelters, and that is a huge issue. I believe that Kabang is a great ambassador for dogs and what they can do for people. I think we owe her a service in return."