Mucus in the Stool in Dogs

Some mucus is normal and necessary in order to facilitate the movement of the waste through the bowels. When the amount of this mucus increases in volume or changes color or smell this could signal a problem developing for your dog. The underlying issues that can cause this sign range from benign to untreatable, depending on the cause. Because some of the causes of mucus in stool can be time sensitive it's best to contact your veterinarian as soon a possible, especially if the dog has other signs such as diarrhea or fever.

Most stool includes some mucus to facilitate its movement through the bowels. Increases or changes in the mucus composition of your dog’s stool may be indicative of underlying conditions.

In order to make a diagnosis your veterinarian will want a full history of the animal, as well as a general physical exam. Questions regarding your dog’s diet and appetite will be asked, as well as inquiries about whether any vomiting or diarrhea has been recently observed. A biochemistry profile, complete blood count, and urinalysis may be recommended to determine the underlying cause. A colonoscopy and a fecal float may also be recommended. The fecal float test can help your veterinarian to determine if adult parasites are present in the canine’s system and the colonoscopy allows a visual inspection of the large intestine to detect tears or other inconsistencies. If a definitive diagnosis has not been determined by this point, additional tests will depend on signs and on the results of previous tests. If foreign objects or tumors are suspected x-ray and ultrasound imaging may be used to try and detect them.

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