Last Updated on April 10, 2021 by Dogs Vets
why dog poop mucus (Causes and Treatment)
Why is there mucus on the dog’s poop?
Are you surprised to see mucus on your dog poop? or something that looks like jelly when you examine your dog’s poop? The presence of mucus is actually quite normal. You will usually see a little bit of a sticky, jelly-like substance in your dog’s feces.
The glands in the intestine naturally produce mucus to help keep the colon lubricated and moist, which helps the stool pass. However, excessive mucus accompanied by blood in the poop, diarrhea, vomiting and/or other symptoms are causes for concern.
Because of the possibility of dog poop mucus, it is always a good idea to check your dog’s stool for any abnormalities or alarms. A dog’s stool can tell you a lot about his diet, whether he has parasites, is stressed or has some form of digestive disorder.
If mucus is found in your dog’s feces, you may want to know where it came from and why. In the next paragraphs, we will learn more about it.
When does mucus cause concern?
When there is an excessive amount.
When there is blood present.
When there is vomiting, diarrhea, drowsiness and/or loss of appetite.
What does mucus usually look like?
Normal mucus usually looks like a clear jelly-like substance mixed with feces. Sometimes, it may wrap around the stool like a sausage casing. In some cases, mucus may also appear white. If you make a habit of checking your dog’s stool regularly, then you will quickly notice when something looks off.
In fact, your dog’s poop can tell you a lot about their health conditions. So, before picking it up, make sure you take a quick look to make sure your dog’s stool looks normal.
If you see mucus in your dog’s stool, find out what may be causing the mucus and when you should see a veterinarian.
Is mucus on the dog poop stool dangerous?
A little mucus in your dog’s feces is not a cause for panic and there are ways you can help at home. Be sure to mention these conditions at your next vet visit.
Excessive mucus in your dog’s stool may indicate that you need veterinary treatment for a disease. If you consistently see mucus in your dog’s stool, or if you see a lot of mucus even in one instance, then you need to make an appointment with your veterinarian.
If your dog is young, old or already sick, it is best to contact your veterinarian immediately. With these dogs, health can decline rapidly, so you should inform your veterinarian of any changes you notice as soon as possible.
When can you treat the condition at home?
If your dog has only a little excess mucus in his stool but is feeling fine (eating well, happy, active, no diarrhea, etc.), you can try treating the condition at home.
Diet
Sometimes switching to an easily digestible diet or adding other fibers to the diet can help.
Cooked white meat chicken (no skin or bones), white rice and a tablespoon of canned pumpkin (depending on the size of your dog) is a good homemade option that you can safely feed your dog for a few days.
Dog poop mucus – Probiotics
A small amount of mucus in the stool (in an otherwise healthy dog) does not require medication, but probiotic supplements may help.
Look for probiotic products specifically designed for dogs, or ask your veterinarian for advice.
When does mucus on the dog’s stool need to be checked by a veterinarian?
If your dog has had an abnormal amount of mucus in the stool for an extended period of time, or if your dog has other symptoms, such as
- lack of appetite
- weight loss
- vomiting
- diarrhea
In these cases, there may be an underlying health problem. Your veterinarian will take a complete health history and perform a physical exam. They may need to run some combination of the following tests.
- Fecal examination
- Blood and sweat work
- Urinalysis
- Abdominal x-ray and/or ultrasound
- Endoscopy
- Intestinal biopsy
Basic Conditions and Treatments
Appropriate treatment will depend on the results of these tests and your dog’s final diagnosis. These are some of the more common conditions that cause fecal mucus in dogs.
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Intestinal infections
Bacteria, viruses and fungi can all infect the canine gastrointestinal (GI) system.
With a GI infection, most dogs will have diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite or other symptoms in addition to fecal mucus. Supportive care and medications to address the infection will be necessary.
Dog poop mucus – Parasitic worms
Whipworms, tape worms, Giardia lamblia and other intestinal parasites can cause mucus in the dog’s feces.
A fecal exam can identify the type of parasite present and an appropriate dewormer should address the problem.
Improper Diet
When a dog eats something unusual, it can damage the gastrointestinal tract and cause fecal mucus. Mild cases can take a little time to resolve.
More severe cases may require medications to control vomiting and diarrhea, antibiotics, fluid therapy, nutritional support, and sometimes surgery to remove the foreign body.
Changes in diet/adverse food reactions
Sudden changes in diet may result in the appearance of mucus in the dog’s feces. Returning to the original food and then slowly mixing more and more of the new food into the old food usually resolves the problem.
In some cases, a food allergy/intolerance should be attributed. You may need to switch to a therapeutic diet, such as a veterinarian-prescribed hypoallergenic food.
Irritable bowel syndrome
Stress is thought to be a major factor in the onset of irritable bowel syndrome.
Treatment includes stress relief, dietary changes and medications to reduce the severity of symptoms in dogs (e.g., salazosulfapyridine).
Dog poop mucus causes Inflammatory diseases
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) causes fecal mucus but is usually accompanied by weight loss, vomiting or diarrhea.
Dietary changes and sometimes treatment with immunosuppressive drugs should alleviate the symptoms in dogs.
Cancer
Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract can cause fecal mucus.
Treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or palliative care.
Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS)
AHDS (also called hemorrhagic gastroenteritis) may result when dogs have large amounts of blood and mucus (often called raspberry jam) in their feces.
Treatment includes supportive therapy, anti-nausea medications, fluid therapy and antibiotics.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
Ask your veterinarian about any possible side effects of the medications your dog is taking. Find out when they want to see your dog for a progress check and who to contact in the event of an emergency outside of normal business hours.
Possible complications to watch out for
Talk to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s condition, especially if your dog is experiencing a worsening of symptoms such as
- Lethargy or depression
- Lack of appetite
- Vomiting or diarrhea (especially dark/tarred or containing fresh blood)
- Pain
Conclusion on why your dog poop mucus
Keep in mind that young or old dogs, or dogs suffering from health conditions may become ill very quickly. In this case, it is best to be sorry and to consult your veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Reference: Petmd.com
