One of the most common reasons why your dog may be excreting more mucus than normal is that he is suffering from gastroenteritis. This pathology is characterized by an inflammation of the mucous layer that lines the intestine , which can be caused mainly by the action of viruses, bacteria, parasites, toxic substances or spoiled foods. When this inflammation specifically affects the colon, it is called colitis.

In addition to the possibility of excreting mucous feces, dogs with gastroenteritis show symptoms such as diarrhea, apathy, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, restlessness or fever , depending on the severity of the case. Acute gastroenteritis in dogs , that is, those that appear suddenly, are a very common reason for visiting the veterinarian and usually have a good prognosis, although its cause must be analyzed in depth and appropriate treatment provided.

Treatment

In the event of a mucous or soft stool that occurs occasionally, it may be enough to feed the dog for a couple of days with a soft diet , for example, with special wet food for intestinal problems. This diet should be administered several times a day and in small quantities to ensure adequate digestion.

However, if the mucus persists or other symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting or blood in the stool appear, it is essential to take your dog to a veterinary center. Although most acute gastroenteritis resolves without problem, it can be very dangerous, especially in the case of puppies or elderly dogs, which can become dehydrated quickly. The veterinarian will perform the relevant tests, which usually include a stool analysis, and will prescribe a specific treatment depending on the cause of the gastroenteritis.

Inflammatory bowel disease is also known as IBD ( Inflammatory Bowel Disease ) and is a chronic pathology characterized by an accumulation of different types of inflammatory cells in the intestinal mucosa. The consequence of this is that the animal suffers throughout its life from recurring episodes of inflammation of its intestine and, therefore, from mucous, soft or completely watery feces.

Although the exact cause of this enteropathy is not known, it is suspected that it is closely linked to a hypersensitivity towards certain elements, such as bacteria in the intestinal flora or some food allergens. Despite its chronicity, inflammatory bowel disease can be treated so that neither the longevity nor the quality of life of the animal is affected.

Treatment

If your dog has recurrent periods of mucous stools, your veterinarian will perform a series of tests to determine the presence of IBD. If the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment will depend on the severity of the condition, since if the dog has not been treated for a long time, it is possible that it has developed ulcers or even tumors as a result of the constant inflammation of the intestine. In any case, general treatment usually includes fluid therapy, antibiotics, immunosuppressants and a special hypoallergenic diet.

Some parasites can cause digestive damage and, consequently, cause your dog to poop with mucus. When this occurs, we speak of gastritis, gastroenteritis or parasitic colitis , depending on the area of ​​the tract in which the inflammatory damage occurs.

The parasites that most frequently cause these problems in dogs are some species of helminths (colloquially called «worms» or «worms») such as Trichuris trichura , Toxocara canis or Dipylidium caninum , as well as the Giardia protozoan, which causes giardiasis, a relatively common in dogs and can also affect humans, especially children or immunosuppressed people. 

Treatment

The vast majority of parasitic infections can be prevented by applying a good antiparasitic treatment, both internal and external. Your veterinarian will recommend the best product for your furry dog ​​based on his age and weight.

If parasitosis has already occurred (probably because the animal has come into contact with contaminated feces or has eaten something spoiled), you may find eggs or worms in its feces. It is recommended that you go to your veterinary clinic with a recent stool sample so that the professional can assess which parasite it is and thus prescribe the best possible treatment.

Food intolerances or allergies are a common cause of discomfort and problems in the digestive tract, so they can present as a symptom that a dog poops with green or yellowish mucus. As is the case with people, dogs can be allergic to certain ingredients in their food such as some cereals, chicken or other meats, eggs, soy, fish, etc. Many allergic processes develop when the animal is still a puppy while others can appear over time and more or less suddenly.

Treatment

Allergies not only cause gastrointestinal symptoms, in many cases they also affect the dog’s skin, causing dermatitis, peeling and itching. If you observe any of these signs in your furry friend, we recommend that you discuss it with your trusted veterinarian. Sometimes it is not easy to find what a dog is allergic to and the process can take a while during which you will most likely have to give your furry some type of prescription antihistamine and a special hydrolyzed or hypoallergenic diet.

If your dog poops with abundant mucus of a noticeably yellow color, there is a possibility that he suffers from some type of liver problem. If you have observed this coloration in your dog’s feces, take a good look at the color of his gums, lacrimal, vulvar or preputial area and even the sclera of the eye (the white part), as these are places that are very likely to also acquire that tone. yellowish.

The presence of yellow color in the dog’s mucous membranes is called jaundice and is a common symptom of a large number of pathologies, with those related to an alteration of the normal function of the liver being of great relevance. 

Treatment

To rule out liver pathology, the veterinarian will perform a series of tests on your dog, which usually include a blood test, stool analysis, and an ultrasound or abdominal x-ray. If you find any problem in this organ, the treatment will depend on its origin and severity, but in most cases the dog will need to take liver protectors and a special low-fat diet to prevent the liver from working too hard.

If you have been offering a specific type of food to your dog for a while and, from one day to the next, you completely alter its diet (either because you change the brand of food or the type of food), it is possible that the animal will spend a few days » with an upset stomach» and make your poops softer or slimier than usual.

In this case, the presence of mucus in your dog’s stool does not necessarily mean that he is allergic to some ingredient or that the new diet is of poorer quality (although, sometimes, this is the case), but simply, the optimal functioning of your intestinal flora may have been harmed by the change.

Treatment

These types of problems are easy to prevent by making a gradual diet change. First of all, it is important that you make sure that the diet you are giving your dog is quality, has good ingredients (it is advisable to avoid by-products) and is adapted to its age, weight and health status. Once this is done, if you decide to change your dog’s food, you should spend a few days mixing both foods, the old and the new, if possible, for example, if in both cases you are offering dry food. If what you want is to go from a processed diet to a cooked or BARF diet, it is likely that your dog will require a short fast beforehand, but in these cases it is always better to consult with a veterinary nutrition specialist.

You have already seen that many of the causes that explain why your dog poops with yellow or green mucus require veterinary attention, so doubt it and consult your trusted veterinarian.

This article is merely informative, at Tecnomd.com we do not have the authority to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if it has any type of condition or discomfort.