Mucus in Dog Poop: Common Causes and Treatments
Laura Evans | December 6, 2022
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The poop of your dog can tell you a lot about its health. As a dog parent, you should examine the poop of your dog to check for potential health issues, including allergies, parasites, and infections.
If you see mucus in your dog’s stool, you should find out what could be causing it and when you should see the vet.
Keep reading to understand why your pet has this problem, when to be concerned, and what you can do about it.
It’s normal to see a small amount of mucus in your pup’s poop every once in a while. But if you see a lot of it, or if it happens all the time, or if you are seeing bloody mucus in your dog’s poop, then you should seek for help.
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What Causes Mucus In Dog Poop?
Small amounts of mucus in the dog’s poop are ordinary and necessary. It’s released in the cells of the stomach to help feces flow seamlessly and easily. When the mucus is excessive in quantity, it may indicate an underlying medical condition. Here are some of the more commonly diagnosed causes:
One of the common causes of too much mucus on the dog’s poop is extensive inflammation of the bowel. Colitis will result in the production of mucus as a result of inflammation. Since the dog’s immune system is fighting the inflammation and attacking parts of the large bowel, it often means that the cells will release too much mucus.
Bacterial infection: Another cause of mucus in dog poop is a bacterial infection that reaches the bowel. Examples are Escherichia coli (E. coli) infection and Clostridium difficile infection. When the proper balance of bacteria is lost in the large bowel, it will create a mucus-like substance.
Parasite Infection can also cause too much mucus in the dog’s stool. Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms are the common parasites that cause this.
Dietary changes, especially sudden changes in diet, can cause mucus in the dog’s stool.
Irritable bowel disease: Another condition that can cause mucus on the dog’s poop is IBD (Irritable bowel disease). Dogs suffering from this condition will experience cramping and pain. An untreated IBD can worsen. The excessive release of mucus can be a symptom of the worsening condition.
Cancer in the dog’s large bowel is another common reason for mucus in stool.
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What Does Mucus In Stool Look Like
Mucus in dog poop may have a clear or tawny color, and one may not easily notice it. When the mucus is visible and in large quantity, it could signify health conditions such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many others.
When Mucus In Dogs’ Poop Is A Problem?
When you find mucus in the dog’s poop, it is a good idea to take it seriously. When the mucus is too much and frequent in your dog’s stool, you first need to call your vet, or out of hours, a 24/7 pet helpline. Too much mucus is a symptom of a more serious problem. Testing your dog’s stool can also help you determine if there is a problem. When mucus in your dog is excessive, it means that its immune system or gastrointestinal system is not working properly.
Diagnosing Why A Dog Has Mucus In Their Stool
When a dog has excessive mucus on his/her stool, veterinarians will begin by making sure that the dog is in a stable condition. If the mucus is associated with an infectious disease, they will want to treat it before doing any other tests. They may want to run stool tests to check for parasites, fungi, worms, and bacteria. Further tests can be carried out to ensure that the cause of mucus in the stool is due to an underlying health condition.
Treating Mucus in Dog Poop
Treatments depend on the underlying cause of the mucus in stool. Your dog may need to be on antibiotics or other drugs to treat an infection or inflammation. Your vet may also prescribe medications to get rid of parasites, like anti-parasitic drugs.
Stool softeners are recommended for dogs with diarrhea. It is important that you do not feed your dog a high-protein diet to avoid diarrhea.
The easiest way to get fixed is to call your vet, or ask a 24/7 pet helpline from the comfort of your home, and then take action based on their recommendations.
When Does Mucus In Your Dog’s Stool Require A Vet Visit?
When it is frequent and/or large in quantity, then you need to consult your veterinarian or a pet helpline for advice. If your dog is already on medication, then you must consult with your vet if there are no signs of improvement in stool consistency, frequency, and color.
Conclusion
Being aware of what is normal and abnormal in your dog’s stool is important to help you identify medical problems that you may need to address right away. When mucus in dog poop is excessive, it may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Medical attention is required and could help your dog get better and avoid other complications. As a dog parent, you should be aware of the potential causes and treatments of poop in order to get your pet the care he needs.
