How to treat mucus in your dog’s poop?

Today we’re talking poop - specifically mucus in your dog’s poop. This is to help you understand what causes it, and how to support your dog’s digestion to keep them happy and healthy. 

Firstly, if you see mucus in your dog’s poop, there’s no need to ring alarm bells - it’s actually quite normal in small amounts. Often, it’s the normal lubrication (slimy stuff) that occurs in your dog’s intestine as the poop passes along its way. However, large amounts of mucus could indicate a more serious health concern with their digestion. If you notice excessive amounts of mucus, or the addition of blood in their poop you should contact your vet. Vomiting or abdominal discomfort are also reasons to call your vet.

Larger amounts of mucus can be an indication of colitis, which occurs when your dog’s colon (large intestine) is excessively inflamed. Your vet may want to discuss their diet and parasite treatment history as well as run some tests – such as faecal samples, blood tests or diagnostic imaging (ultrasound or x-rays) to decipher what may be the cause of the mucus.

Inflammation in your dog’s colon can be caused by a number of different issues, including:

• Parasites like whipworms, roundworms, tapeworms and microscopic protozoa called Giardia.
• Change in diet from changing their food too quickly
• Stress, because when your dog is stressed it affects their normal digestive mobility.
• Bacterial infections like E. coli, Clostridium or Salmonella can be a cause of colon inflammation. Dogs that eat raw food are often at a slightly higher risk.
• Ingesting spoiled or contaminated foods when scavenging by eating things like manure, discarded rubbish, etc.
• IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease) can appear in varying levels of severity.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause of your dog’s colitis (the main health issue related to excess mucus in their poop). 

Anti-parasitic treatments would target parasitic infections, such as worms or Giardia, whereas antibiotic treatments may be used to treat bacterial infections which don’t resolve after a short period of fasting. 

A change in diet would probably be advised for dogs with IBD, such as a trial with hypoallergenic food. And a temporary switch to bland foods might be a solution for many different causes if symptoms are only mild. We would also recommend looking at a probiotic designed for dogs to help re-balance their gut and top up their good bacteria.

As previously mentioned, if your dog seems happy and their usual self, then things are probably not too serious. In this case, fasting for 24 hours, followed by some bland food might be enough to calm the mucus production and let their normal digestive system get back on track. 

Bland food ideally should be “gastrointestinal” food from your veterinarian as this is scientifically formulated to ensure the guts can easily digest it, yet it still provides a balanced and complete diet. However, if you’re looking for a home cooked option, boiled chicken and rice is a suitable alternative for short periods of time.

Another option is introducing “good” bacteria, known as a probiotic. Probiotic supplements are widely available and do not require a prescription from your vet. The beneficial bacteria can help support your dog’s natural gut environment and balance out any of the nasty bacteria that have taken hold and colonised in the guts. 

• Annual faecal examinations are recommended, known as worm counts, especially if your pooch is prone to digestive problems as these check for parasite eggs and give an indication if your dog is harbouring parasites.
• Providing a probiotic in the form of a supplement or giving a food which already contains them in the ingredients may help keep your dog’s gut microbiome stable.
• Finally, ensure your dog doesn’t eat contaminated food and scavenge through rubbish bins.

If your dog is presenting these signs alongside the mucus-poop, you must immediately contact your vet:

• Vomiting
• Large amounts of very watery stools
• Blood in their stools (either fresh red blood or dark black digested blood)
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Collapse

We hope this helps you understand what mucus is and how it can occur in your dog’s poop. 

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