The presence of mucus in your dog’s stool may not be a cause for alarm, but you need to rule out the possibility of any underlying condition. This DogAppy post has more information.
It is normal to observe some amount of mucus in the dog’s stool at times. However, it may be a cause of concern if observed regularly for a few days in a row. The slimy, white mucus is the substance that lines the intestines. It helps keep the colon moist and lubricated, and can be passed with stools occasionally. This is no cause of panic, but if excessive amount of mucus is observed, it means something is wrong.
What Does Mucus in Dog Poop Mean?
When you dog suffers from a major change in his bowel movement with blood or mucus being passed, it is a sign of an underlying dog health issue indicating irritation in the stomach as well as intestines. If the white mucus does not clear up in a few days, it is better to contact the veterinarian for help. Feed the dog a balanced diet that includes cooked rice with chicken or meat, to ease digestive problems.
Causes
There are many causes of mucus in stool, that may affect your dog’s health. Some of the causes include:
- Eating stale or rotten foods from garbage cans
- Dog food allergies
- Intestinal parasites like whipworm, roundworms, tapeworms, or hookworms
- Bacterial infection
- Colitis
- Diarrhea
- Parvo or corona virus
- Inflammation of the rectal opening
- Constipation
- Tumors or polyps like rectal polyps
Symptoms
The first symptom is the appearance of mucus. If it is transparent, grayish or white, it probably is normal. However, if your observe the following symptoms alongside, it’s better to consult the vet:
- Yellow mucus
- Foul-smelling stools
- Diarrhea
- Change in bowel movement
- Loss of appetite
- Blood in stools
Yellow mucus in the dog’s stool can be a sign of intestinal infection or parasitic infection, that may turn lethal, and therefore requires immediate medical assistance. Food allergies, irritable bowel syndrome, may also cause its to appear. In case of puppies, yellow mucus is a sign of severe infection. Your pup needs immediate medical care as their immune system is still developing.
Bloody mucus is a sign of various illnesses. It can be due to presence of parasites like hookworm, heartworm, roundworms, whipworms, tapeworms, etc. The parasitic infection that is most like to cause bloody mucus is hookworm and whipworm. Inflammatory bowel disease or gastrointestinal infection may cause irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines. This will lead to bloody mucus, along with other symptoms like bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, etc. Stomach ulcers or cancers of the colon, or digestive system may also be a reason behind this symptom, along with liver and kidney failure and Addison’s disease. Ingestion of a foreign body or hemorrhoids may lead to passing bloody stools.
Treatment
The treatment is usually decided by the cause of the symptoms. The vet may prescribe medications and recommend a special diet to cure the condition. De-worming is advised in cases of parasitic infections. The dog needs to be fed a balanced diet to improve his overall health. The dog should be fed bland, cooked food 3 to 6 times a day. The food should include ground chicken mixed with cooked white rice. Do not give your dog over-the-counter drugs for treatment of diarrhea or mucus. Speak to the veterinarian for advice on medications.