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My 7 yr. old chug has to have anal glands drained periodically, they take him in a back room away from me and he cries horribly from the pain. Is this method of procedure normal? I read on your site that they are typically sedated because of the pain involved. I'm concerned for him. Also, while waiting for an appointment ( vet depends on the answer to above question) can I give him Tylenol or Ibuprofen to ease his discomfort?
Updated On February 16th, 2020
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | unneutered | 7 years and 3 months old | 14 lbs
Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA 103
Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer
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Hi there. Expressing the anal glands is not overly painful unless they are badly infected, and does not normally require sedation. But it can definitely be uncomfortable, so it's not unusual for pets to vocalize when it's done - just like for other minor procedures like vaccinations, nail trims, or blood draws. No, it is not safe to give any over-the-counter pain medications such as Tylenol or ibuprofen to dogs. If this is a common problem for your dog, you could ask your veterinarian about having some type of pain medication on hand at home for these situations.
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