Most owners have an idea of what their dog’s poop normally looks like, and any abnormal appearance can cause them concern or confusion. While mucus in a dog’s poop is a fairly common finding and isn’t always worrying, it can sometimes mean that there is a problem that needs to be investigated.
Knowing more about what mucus in your dog’s poo means can help keep them healthy.
Why do dogs have mucus in their poop?
Mucus can occur in a dog’s stool naturally from the lubrication of the intestines. A small amount of mucus from time to time is completely normal because it allows feces to slide through the colon. However, if more mucus is observed in the stool on a regular basis, it may indicate a problem.
Too much mucus in its stool most often means that there is excessive inflammation in your dog’s colon, and this condition is called colitis.
The colon is the last part of the intestinal tract through which the stool passes before leaving a dog’s body. When the colon becomes inflamed, colitis occurs and excessive mucus can cover the dog’s stool.
The reasons for this inflammation of the colon include various intestinal parasites such as worms and Giardia, stress, bacterial infections such as E Coli and Salmonella, as a result of the ingestion of altered or contaminated food, inflammatory bowel disease, trauma, or allergies.
What Causes Mucus in Dog Poop?
Diseases of the digestive system
Mucus in the feces of an adult dog or puppy can be a symptom of gastrointestinal diseases. Timely detection of the disease will help to cure the pet in the gentlest way.
Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the colon. The causative agents of the disease are bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, and parasites. They enter the intestines along with poor-quality food and inedible objects. Sometimes the disease develops due to an allergic reaction or an autoimmune process.
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Colitis is manifested by frequent vomiting and bowel movements. The animal’s stool becomes liquid, but the mucus remains clear. A dog loses its appetite and eats a lot of grass. Moreover, his behavior is aggressive. The dog does not allow touching the stomach, it can shake and bite the owner.
Dysbacteriosis
Dysbacteriosis is a change in the intestinal microflora and stomach. The reasons for reducing the concentration of beneficial bacteria are antibiotics, poor ecology, and stress. As a result, the gastrointestinal tract loses the protective barrier, and in its place, pathogenic microorganisms grow and multiply.
If the dog’s poop is with mucus and bloody impurities, he may have dysbiosis. Other symptoms will help confirm the diagnosis. The dog becomes lethargic and sleepy, and the appetite decreases. The pet’s coat loses its silkiness and shine. The suppressed state does not change even after a change in diet.
Helminthiasis
Helminthiasis is an infection of worms and other parasites. It occurs after consuming low-quality products. Dogs can chew sticks that are next to public toilets, and other dirty places. Active contact with stray dogs also increases the likelihood of the disease. If a dog has diarrhea with mucus, rumbling, and abdominal distension, the digestive tract can be infected with worms.
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis is an acute inflammatory process on the walls of the stomach and intestines. It develops due to poisoning, eating spicy or fatty foods. The disease is a complication of allergies, infectious diseases, and uncontrolled medication. Untreated, inflammation passes to other organs and can be fatal.
If the dog’s stool is with blood and mucus due to gastroenteritis, urgent treatment is needed. A veterinarian will prescribe medication based on antibiotics. At the final stage, the cleansing enemas are done in order to remove toxins.
Diarrhea and vomiting with mucus
The main cause of mucus diarrhea in a puppy or an adult dog is poisoning. Acidic foods enter the digestive tract, causing fermentation processes. The body is trying to get rid of it quickly. Therefore, feces become liquid, with mucous impurities from the intestine. Diarrhea also occurs due to:
- the sudden transition to natural foods;
- damage to the intestinal walls;
- indigestion;
- allergies.
Types of vomiting
- Yellow foam vomiting – this is because of the bile along with gastric juice. If the contents of the gallbladder enter the stomach, a spasm occurs, so that the body gets rid of mucus. The cause of this pathology is infectious diseases and liver problems. Isolated cases occur due to overeating, and poor-quality feeding.
- White foam vomiting is because of gastric juices. It consists of proteins and mucopolysaccharides. If the dog is vomiting in the morning before taking the first meal, gastritis, pancreatitis, and indigestion are possible. If spasms are observed 4-5 hours after eating, a foreign body has entered the digestive tract.
- Green foam vomiting means that the intestinal contents are swallowed. The causes are gastrointestinal diseases: Intestinal obstruction, excessive secretion of bile, infectious diseases, and the presence of worms. Thick mucus with dark green patches is cleansing the digestive tract with grass. Isolated cases do not pose a health threat, but if it happens often, the dog requires examination in a clinic.
Find out why a dog has mucus in his stool
Diagnostic tests will need to be performed to determine the cause of the mucus in your dog’s stool. Your veterinarian will talk to you about possible stress factors and you should give him information on the pet’s current diet and then start with some basic tests to rule out some common problems.
Microscopic fecal examinations will detect intestinal parasites, and fecal cultures and cytology tests will look for bacterial infections. If these tests are negative and there is no indication of dietary problems, stress, or trauma, more chronic reasons for inflammation will be searched into. Allergies and inflammatory bowel disease can be more difficult to diagnose and may involve eliminating some type of food from the diet.
These various diagnostic tests will also ensure that what you see is actually mucus and not fat. The fat may look similar to mucus because it gives a fatty layer to the stool. But the reasons a dog has fat in his stool are different from the reasons he may have mucus. It can mean your dog is simply eating too much fat, or it could point to a problem with the gallbladder, pancreas, or other things.
Mucus in Dog Poop: When to Seek Help
Isolated cases of diarrhea, vomiting, and mucus defecation, are considered normal. So, the body gets rid of toxins, foreign objects, and poor-quality food. In this case, you need to give your dog more water and temporarily offer him an easier-to-digest and lighter diet.
If the mucus is excreted in large quantities, has bloody threads, or has a strong smell, you need to take the dog to the veterinarian. Important reasons for your concern may be behavioral changes in the dog.
Refusing to eat, walking, whining frequently and anxiety are important symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as piroplasmosis, colitis, gastroenteritis, and pancreatitis will help preserve health and save the animal’s life.
Treatment for mucus in dog’s poop
Treatment for excessive mucus in your dog’s poop will depend on the underlying reason. Parasites and infections may have to be treated with deworming medication and antibiotics. Probiotics and special diets can be consumed, and inflammation in the intestines may be treated with steroids.
Some causes of mucus in the stool, such as allergies and IBD, are chronic and will require continuous control.
How to prevent mucus in a dog’s poop
Since mucus in the poo can sometimes occur due to intestinal parasites, it is important to give your dog, regularly, preventive medication for parasites to reduce the likelihood of this problem occurring. These medications are often found alongside heartworm prevention ones and are usually given monthly. Annual fecal examinations to check for parasites are also recommended and are often done when you bring your dog to the veterinarian for an annual physical examination.
Probiotics and prebiotics can help facilitate a normal and healthy intestinal tract and therefore reduce the possibility of infections and inflammation. Because of this, it may also be useful to give a daily mixture of these products to your dog. These products come in different forms and flavors, and many are designed specifically for dogs. Some even contain other useful ingredients such as beta-glucans, vitamins, and more.
Finally, making sure your dog doesn’t eat contaminated or expired food and doesn’t live with chronic stress can help prevent mucus from appearing in the stool. These things are not always easy, but being aware of the potential causes of excessive mucus in the poop can help prevent it from occurring in the dog.
