34 The Courier sun • health • JUNE 6, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com Tips to protect your pet from fleas and ticks Fleas and ticks are on every pet owner’s radar when warm weather flourishes. This is the season when both pets and people are itching to get outside, ▶health but without proper protection, four-legged friends can end up itching even more. However, if fleas and ticks take hold, and an infestation starts, this seasonal concern can turn into a yearround headache. That’s why many veterinarians advocate parasite prevention all year long. Taking precautionary measures will protect your pet from much more than a few bites. Ticks and fleas can spread a range of ailments and diseases - from Lyme disease and tapeworm, to flea-bite anemia. While several are downright uncomfortable, some can be very severe for your pet, and even you. Fleas and ticks are so tiny that, if they get into your home they can easily h i d e in carpet, furniture, and other nooks and crannies. In the warm environment of your home, they can survive year round, no matter where you live, leaving you and your pets exposed to irritation and disease. “Protecting your pet from these pests is as good as protecting your home,” says veterinarian Dr. Liz Hanson of the Corona del Mar Animal Hospital in Newport Beach, Calif. “When you have a healthy pet, it’s more likely that you’ll have a healthy household. Luckily, setting a protective barrier against fleas and ticks is quick and simple.” Follow these tips from Hanson to ensure that your pets are effectively shielded from fleas, ticks and other pests: • Don’t assume that you have to spend a lot of money. • Choose what’s right for your pet. Cats and dogs have different tolerances, so choose a medication that is appropriate for the species and size of your pet. • Apply medication properly. Topical flea and tick treatment should be applied directly on the skin in one or several spots along the top of the neck or back, and in areas your pet cannot reach by mouth. Be sure your dog or cat is completely dry before applying and do not bathe for several days after the application. “Keeping your pet and your home flea and t i c k free should be a year-round priority, and if you shop smart, you can save on quality flea and tick control for your pet,” Hanson adds. Courtesy BPT Bayside Man Recalls Pioneering Surgery that Saved His Life at Hospital’s 150th Anniversary Symposium From L to R.: Dr. James P. Smith, Phil Konigsberg, Dr. David B. Levine Life was not easy for Phil Konigsberg of Bayside when he was growing up. As a child and teenager, he faced more challenges than most people deal with in a lifetime. When he was only two years old, he was stricken with polio, and his loving family and doctors did everything they could to help him. He told his story at the Hospital for Special Surgery 150th Anniversary Symposium, thanking Dr. David B. Levine, his former spine surgeon, and the hospital, for saving his life. Mr. Konigsberg, now 61, was among numerous speakers who came together to celebrate the hospital’s milestone at the symposium, “Honoring the Past, Envisioning the Future,” in May. In addition to former patients who told their inspirational stories, the event featured noted historians, scholars, scientists, physicians and health policy leaders from around the country. In 1968, at age 17, Phil had a critical decision to make. “I remember being told by my surgeon, Dr. Levine, and my parents that I was running out of time to have a spinal fusion operation, and that if I chose not to have the surgery, I was faced with the scoliosis continuing to get worse and eventually crushing my organs.” The surgery would mean giving up about a year of his active life for recovery and rehabilitation. The good news was that Dr. Levine was performing the surgery with relatively new instrumentation called “Harrington Rods,” a major advance that reduced the curvature and provided more stability to the spinal fusion. The surgery was a success. Mr. Konigsberg paid tribute to his doctors at the symposium. “I am forever grateful to Dr. Levine and to Dr. James P. Smith, my pulmonologist, for each being my personal lifesavers.” Scoliosis treatment has come a long way since the 1960s, with improved implants and better techniques, according to Dr. Levine, author of the new book, “Anatomy of a Hospital,” about the fascinating 150-year history of Hospital for Special Surgery. The book is available at www.hss.edu/store and on Amazon.com. ADVERTORIAL ALLERGY SEASON IS HERE Do you cry from itchy, tearing, red swollen eyes, stuffy nose, and sore throat? Adult & Pediatric Allergy & Asthma Care Specialist BETTER MEDICAL CARE, PC Warren W Hsu, M.D. BoardCertifi ed Allergist 212-15 Union Turnpike • Bayside, NY 718-217-8600 Mon-Wed-Fri-Sat 10am-7pm FREE Parking Most Insurance Plans Accepted • Nasal Congestion and Infl ammation • Sneezing • Itchy Watery Eyes • Runny or Stuffed Up Nose • Sore Throat • Low Grade Fever No Diagnostic Co-Pay On Your First Visit Only. With This Coupon Only Hayfever Season Pollen Season Ragweed Season of the 2013 THE QUEENS QueensCourier.com
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