Is there any reason why I should not let him? After all, I trust him to treat my dog and I love her like one of my family.

DEAR READER:
Wow! I am printing and responding to your letter because it is a first. No one has ever asked me to “cross party lines” before.

Veterinarians are qualified — in their field. Many programs do not require a bachelor’s degree for entrance and prerequisites vary, however all programs require up to 90 semester hours at an undergraduate level. Mandated classes include chemistry, biology, genetics, and microbiology. A four-year degree in the field of animal science and a post graduate degree from a recognized school of veterinary medicine are mandated. By the way, there are 28 colleges in 26 states that meet accreditation standards set by the Council on Education of the American Veterinary Medical Association. A state license is required before practice can begin. Some students prefer to intern in a group practice. Others choose to go solo.

Most veterinarians diagnose problems, medicate, vaccinate, set fractures, treat and dress wounds, perform surgery when necessary, and dispense advice. They use surgical instruments, stethoscopes and diagnostic equipment. Sounds like a medical doctor, doesn’t it? The only differential is that a pet cannot speak to tell his doctor what hurts. That’s up to the pet’s owner, but it certainly adds a vital element to the necessary examination.

Obviously I cannot endorse having a veterinarian anesthetize, perform surgical excision, suture, send the cyst for analysis if appropriate, and follow the wound for possible signs of infection. Would you consider making an appointment for your pet with your general practitioner or surgeon? Might he or she be put off if you did? Perhaps you should bite the bullet (or dog bone) and make arrangements to pay a surgeon over time through a payment plan to remove your cyst as an office procedure. I recommend you play it safe.

To give you related information (no pun intended), I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Medical Specialists”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

At that point, I decided it was time to see my physician who concluded that I needed a cortisone shot because I probably had fluid on my knee. She referred me to an orthopedist for the shot. Unfortunately it didn’t help. I was then referred for physical therapy. After only two sessions, I was told I needed to go back to the orthopedist. The physical therapist wouldn’t tell me why but called ahead to the doctor and spoke to him directly. When I got there I was told I had a Baker’s cyst and would need a knee replacement. I was further advised not to rush into the surgery because the cyst might improve to the point where the pain would lessen to a manageable level.

When I went back for physical therapy I told my therapist (and another who was standing next to her) what I had been told. Both adamantly told me to not to have the surgery. I continued with the therapy for another three sessions before I was dismissed because my therapist said she couldn’t keep taking my money as I wasn’t being helped.

Now I want to know what you think about this situation. Do Baker’s cysts appear suddenly, only to disappear over time? Do I really need a knee replacement? I am an 83-year-old otherwise healthy female.

DEAR READER:
A Baker’s cyst is an accumulation of joint fluid behind the knee. Most cysts do not cause symptoms but, occasionally, large cysts may cause discomfort and/or stiffness. In fact, most cysts are recognized only after they rupture, a process that can cause pain, swelling and bruising.

Baker’s cysts can occur in anyone of any age. The most common cause in older individuals is arthritis. Your cyst has probably been there for a while but was worsened by further injury.

Treatment is usually aimed at repairing the underlying cause. In your case that would be the arthritis. I hope you misunderstood your orthopedist when he recommended a knee replacement. It is not appropriate therapy to treat a Baker’s cyst; knee replacement would certainly help your arthritic knee, however.

Most Baker’s cysts disappear on their own but, depending on the cause and severity, it can take months or perhaps even years for that to happen. For those that cause severe pain and interfere with normal movement, there are a few treatments available. The most common is aspiration in which a physician drains the cyst with a needle and syringe. Very rarely, it may be necessary to remove the cyst surgically . This is avoided as much as possible because of the risk of damaging surrounding tissue, blood vessels and nerves located behind the knee.

I recommend you get a second opinion and start treating your arthritis which should help resolve the cyst.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure mention the title.

DEAR READER:
You may have a cyst, skin tag, wart or other harmless lesion. However, because it is on the delicate skin of your eyelid, it should be examined and, if necessary, removed by an ophthalmologist.

Because of the sensitivity of the skin and the risk of permanent damage to the eye, there is no safe way (to my knowledge) to remove the growth at home. If you attempt this you may cause temporary or permanent blindness, scratching or scarring of the cornea or retina leading to diminished vision or even loss of the eye. It is best to leave this up to the professionals.

I am 60 years old and had a hysterectomy 20 years ago because of a fibroid tumor.

DEAR READER: You appear to have developed a cyst on one of your Bartholin glands. These glands are responsible for maintaining vaginal moisture. This occurrence is more common in women 20-29. All women over 40 who develop these cysts should be tested thoroughly to rule out cancer as a possible cause. Follow-up testing should also include blood work to check for sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

Since your current gynecologist appears to find no problem with your persistent drainage, I recommend you seek a second opinion from another gynecologist. The perseverance of the discharge you describe is not normal and needs to be diagnosed and treated.

Two years is far too long to have suffered with this. You need answers so don’t delay is finding another physician.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my newly updated Health Report “Vaginal Infections and Disorders”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, 4 ¼” X 9 ½” letter-sized stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.