WHAT’S  NEW The ON-LINE edition of our monthly newsletter   Interesting External Links IMOM" stands for "In Memory of Magic." They are a non-profit group that provides financial aid for people who cannot afford pet care. Tax-Deductible donations are accepted, and can be made for specific pets listed by the web site. Someone with financial need can apply for aid so long as they have an estimate from their vet and a statement of the pet's prognosis. Spay and Neuter assistance also available. We have selected this group for this months external link; to view past links we have found valuable, click here. www.imom.org Did You Know? That our hospital has launched a monthly feature of the strange but true information that makes the cutting edge of pet care fun?  Every month we include something new but perhaps not widely known, a fun fact to amaze your friends. Thank-You for Our New Referrals What’s New in our Web Site Libraries (since last month) (Go to Hospital Home Page) (Check out the Pet Web Library, Pharmacy Center, Surgery Suite & Vaccine Mezzanine) The “What’s New” Archives   Would you like an eMail each month when this page is updated? Click here and ask to be notified whenever a new “What’s New” page is added. POPULAR TOPICS FROM PAST NEWSLETTERS

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WHAT’S NEW IN OUR WEB SITE LIBRARIES (since last month) CISAPRIDE Like the heart, the stomach contracts according to a coordinated rhythm set by a pacemaker. Disruption of this rhythm leads to the pooling of food, feelings of nausea, and gas distension. Medications have been developed to normalize the stomach's contraction rhythm. Cisapride not only increases tone in the stomach but down the entire GI tract, which makes its use appropriate for constipation issues as well as stomach problems. This medication was removed from the human market due to interactions with common human medications, though it is still commonly used for pets with great benefit. To find out more, visit this page in The Pharmacy Center. PYOTHORAX Most of us know our heart and lungs are inside the chest cavity, but we don't give much thought to the empty space in the chest cavity that is not taken up by organs. This space is called the "pleural space" and as it is normally small and lubricated by a small amount of moisture; it is normally not worth much thought. This changes when the balance of fluid drainage in the pleural space is altered. Fluid build up in the pleural space means less space for the lungs to expand into. In this article in The Pet Web Library, we explore the build-up of pus in the pleural space, a life-threatening infection. CEFPODOXIME The cephalosporine class of antibiotics represents improvement upon basic penicillin. Cefpodoxime is called a "third generation cephalosporine" and represents the most advanced level of this class of drug. Its release for veterinary use in early 20O5 has brought it into common usage. For more information, read this page in The Pharmacy Center.