What Can Cause Mucus In Dog Poop And What Can Be Done To Treat It?
When your dog goes outdoors for a potty break, you may have observed jelly or mucous in the dog’s excrement. This may have prompted you to ask some inquiries about your dog’s health.
You might be curious as to why it occurs, what factors contribute to it, and at what point you should take your dog to the veterinarian.
Stools can contain a trace amount of mucus, but for the dog, excrement to be completely covered with mucus is a typical symptom that veterinarians see regularly.
Let’s take a look at all you need to know about mucus in dog poop. Although many of the reasons for mucus are not serious, there are a few that should be taken seriously.
What Does The Mucus In Dog’s Poop Look Like?
The presence of mucus in the stool of one’s dog is something that stumps a lot of pet owners. So what does mucus in poop look like?
I frequently use the terms “jelly” or “slime” to describe mucus since it is typically transparent and sticky, and it covers all or part of your dog’s feces.
If your dog has diarrhea, you may also notice bits of jelly-like mucus in his feces. This is especially likely if your dog has been vomiting.
It’s possible that the mucus in a dog’s stool could have a color to it as well. Mucus in dog feces most frequently appears as a white tint, but mucus can also be green in color.
The presence of green mucus in a dog’s stool may be the result of food colorings, but it may also indicate an infection caused by bacteria.
If the mucus that comes from your dog’s digestive tract is red, this is most likely blood (although again can be due to food coloring). The presence of blood and mucus in the stool of a dog is not an emergency situation, but it is alarming.
It is commonly brought on by ruptured blood vessels in the final section of the digestive tract, known as the colon, and may be a sign of inflammation or straining, both of which are frequent in dogs that are suffering from diarrhea.
Why Does My Dog’s Poop Have Mucus In It?
Mucus is the typical coating that is seen on the inside of your dog’s digestive tract.
It is a lubricant for the intestinal tract and is secreted by cells that line the big bowel. Because of its role as a lubricant for the intestinal tract, even trace amounts of mucus in feces are normal and typically go unnoticed.
Prolonged physical activity is another normal factor that contributes to the presence of mucus in a dog’s stool. According to the findings of one study, sixteen percent of sled racing dogs had mucoid feces when they were competing.
An animal may be suffering from colitis if its feces are mucoid (large bowel inflammation).
Dogs suffering from colitis will also exhibit several additional symptoms, including loose feces, straining, and an increased sense of urgency as well as the need to go to the toilet more frequently.
Some of the following can lead to canine colitis (and consequently, mucus in the stool of your dog):
Sudden Change In Diet
This can induce temporary colitis in your dog if you have just run out of the food he normally eats and has been forced to feed him something else. Because of this, it is essential to gradually incorporate new foods into your diet.
In a similar vein, dogs that scavenge while out for walks are more likely to experience bouts of diarrhea and colitis, either as a direct result of the sudden shift in their diet or maybe as a result of the presence of toxins in whatever they find.
When diet changes are the cause of colitis in a dog, it is not uncommon for the dog to lose their appetite and become a little lethargic. Fortunately, the symptoms of this form of colitis typically disappear after a few days.
Infection Caused By Bacteria
When bacterial toxins enter the large bowel, they have the potential to produce inflammation as well as an increase in the production of mucus.
Salmonella and E. coli are two examples of the types of bacteria that can spread from contaminated food to humans and cause colitis.
It’s important to keep in mind that dogs who are fed raw food are at a greater risk of ingesting these germs in their food, although many dogs pick up these bacteria while they’re out and about in the world.
In addition to diarrhea that is coated in mucus, bacterial infections like these can also cause a loss of appetite and vomiting, and if they are not treated, they can proceed to produce more serious symptoms.
Infection Caused By Parasites
Intestinal parasite infections, more popularly referred to as “worms,” can frequently result in diarrhea or loose stools that are accompanied by mucus.
The most prevalent offenders are called whipworms and roundworms. Giardia and cryptosporidium are two types of tiny parasites that are responsible for the common occurrence of mucus being present in the feces of dogs.
They are more common in young puppies and can be difficult to eliminate since they do not respond to the typical deworming drugs. Young puppies are more likely to have them.
Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD)
Irritable bowel disease is a condition that may affect people as well as dogs, and just like in people, it can cause dogs to exhibit signs of colitis and have mucus in their stools.
This is typically the result of food intolerance, which is a reaction to a particular protein that is present in their diet. You may also notice additional symptoms, such as a decrease in weight, an unwillingness to eat, and even occasional vomiting.
The presence of mucus in your dog’s feces, in addition to itchy skin, is a symptom that your dog suffers from food allergies.
Stress
Stress is one of the most common factors that might lead to colitis. The rate at which the contents of the intestines pass through the digestive tract is increases when a person is stressed.
This indicates that the meal is not metabolized correctly, which results in the bacteria in the intestines having a greater supply of nutrients than they normally would. The subsequent bacterial activity might result in symptoms such as diarrhea and mucous in the stool.
You may have noticed other signs of stress and know what caused it—recent fireworks or a change in routine are common examples—or your dog may have ongoing minor stress that only shows up as mucus in their poop.
If this is the case, you may have seen other signs of stress and know what caused it.
Leishmania
Sandflies are the vectors for the blood-borne disease known as leishmania. Even though colitis is a very uncommon illness, researchers have shown that leishmania can induce it.
In addition to weight loss and fatigue, some more typical symptoms include problems with the skin, eyes, and nose, as well as nosebleeds.
Granulomatous Colitis of Boxer Dogs
This uncommon illness causes mucus to be present in the feces of Boxers, in addition to other symptoms of colitis like weight loss and bloody stool.
As a result of E. coli infection, the intestinal wall becomes inflamed, thickened, and ulcerated. This illness is known as ulcerative colitis.
Mucus in Dog Poop: When to Seek Help
If your adult dog has a mild case of mucus in his or her poop, you may choose to simply watch your dog at home to avoid taking your dog to the veterinarian.
If, for example, you have recently altered the diet you feed your dog and you notice mucus in their feces even though they are generally healthy, this condition will likely clear up in the next couple of days.
Nevertheless, it is recommended that you take your dog to the veterinarian if the mucus does not clear up or if diarrhea grows worse.
It should go without saying that as soon as a puppy starts showing signs of illness, it should be taken to the veterinarian. This is because they can rapidly lose their quality and become dehydrated.
Canines that have colitis that has lasted for more than a couple of days or dogs that show other indicators of being unwell should also be examined by a veterinarian for diagnosis and therapy.
The following are examples of symptoms that warrant an immediate trip to the veterinarian:
- Weight loss, or thin body condition score
- Vomiting (especially if more than once)
- Significant amounts of blood feces
- Lack of energy and resistance to physical activity
- inappetence, often known as a lack of appetite, that lasts for longer than 24 hours
- Tarry (black-colored) feces
Remember that recurrent colitis is a problem in and of itself, even if each bout is only moderate and lasts for a short period.
Even though your dog is acting normally in between episodes, if it has frequent mucoid poop, this could be an indication of an ongoing internal disease that needs to be investigated.
How To Treat Dog’s Poop Containing Mucus
The treatment that your dog will require is going to be determined by the underlying reason for the mucus in their stool.
For some dogs, the mucus will only be a temporary problem that goes away on its own after a few days have passed. Treatments for other pets may be more involved than those described here.
For the treatment of parasites, a prescription dewormer will be required, and antibiotics will be required for the treatment of bacterial infections and Leishmania.
There are many different causes of colitis, but many of them can be treated with a diet that is strong in fiber or with probiotics.
Alterations to your dog’s diet may also be required if your dog has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), however, in this instance, it is preferable to try to establish the food allergen and then eliminate it from your dog’s diet.
Digestive Aids For Dogs
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The usage of digestive aids for an extended period may be beneficial in enhancing the gut health of dogs that experience recurring mucus for no apparent reason.
Consider using one or more of the following products to enhance the general stool quality and digestive health of your dog. Before giving your dog a new supplement, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian first.
Great Pet Great Poop Digestive Support Supplement
This high-fiber supplement for dogs can help to firm up your dog’s stool and keep your dog regular, so reducing the likelihood that your dog will experience mucus or diarrhea.
These chews, which have a delicious chicken flavor and contain probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and digestive enzymes, help dogs maintain good digestion.
In addition to that, they are produced in the United States of America and do not include any artificial flavors or colorings.
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets FortiFlora Powder
This Purina probiotic supplement was developed in collaboration with veterinarians, scientists, and pet nutritionists to supply your dog’s digestive tract with the essential components it requires.
Dogs may have less flatulence and fewer bouts of diarrhea as a result of this supplement’s effects. The powder is easy to use and can be sprinkled on top of food while it is being consumed during meals.
Fruitables Pumpkin SuperBlend Digestive Supplement
This digestive supplement can be given to your dog in addition to their regular meal to improve their overall gut health.
Just 10% of your pet’s regular meal should be switched out for this recipe, which is loaded with pumpkin, and ginger, as well as various vitamins and nutrients.
It’s as simple as that. The recipe was created by a licensed veterinarian, and production takes place in the United States.
To Conclusion
If you notice mucus in your dog’s stool, it is quite likely that your pet is suffering from colitis, often known as inflammation of the big colon.
There are numerous different causes of colitis, the majority of which are either mild or go away on their own.
Some cases will require additional testing and treatment, particularly if your dog does not show signs of improvement within a couple of days or if they exhibit other symptoms.
In a nutshell, if you notice mucus in your dog’s stool, you should keep a close check on your pet for any other symptoms or shifts in behavior, and get in touch with your doctor if the situation does not improve or if you have any worries about it.
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