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 symptom range from the benign to the untreatable. 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 symptoms 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 will be ordered 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 symptoms 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.

Top

Treatment of mucus in the stool will depend on the underlying cause. As the causes of increased mucus in the stool can cover a large range of underlying causes, the treatments are also many. In cases of indiscriminate eating or stress, it may clear up with no further treatment. A short term change to bland, easily digestible foods may be a beneficial change, and in some mild cases your veterinarian may even recommend Imodium to counteract an upset stomach. If your pet has a viral, bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, the proper medication to clear up the disease will be prescribed, and if food allergies or sensitivities are diagnosed then a hypoallergenic diet may be recommended. Probiotics may also be recommended to help the patient recover, especially after antibiotic or antifungal treatments. If a tumor or another growth is involved, it is likely to require excision which may be followed by chemotherapy.

Top

Depending on the underlying cause, recovery and management methods can be extremely variable. You will need to make sure that you make any changes to your dog’s diet or environment as recommended by your veterinarian, and if your pet was prescribed any medication it is imperative that you give them the entire course to prevent reoccurrence of the problem. The dietary and lifestyle changes for some patients may be short-term or life-long dependent on the symptom’s cause. Although some issues are mild enough not to warrant a return trip to the veterinarian, many other disorders that can result in additional mucus will require an additional visit to check how the patient is responding to treatment.

Top