My dogs poop is mucus and blood

Colitis simply refers to inflammation of the large intestine (colon). Colitis is most commonly used to describe diarrhea or loose stools associated with the large bowel. Large bowel diarrhea is another term for colitis.

What are the clinical signs of colitis?

Most dog owners report seeing frequent, small volumes of semi-formed to liquid feces. Many dogs will exhibit straining during and after defecation, and small amounts of bright red blood will often be passed near the end of defecation. Mucus or fat is seen in many cases of chronic colitis. Most dogs with colitis will exhibit a sense of urgency and need to defecate frequently. Vomiting occurs in less than a third of the cases of colitis or large bowel diarrhea. Weight loss is rare.

What causes colitis?

The causes of colitis include stress, infections (including Salmonella, Clostridium, and E. coli), and parasites (including, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and whipworms), trauma, allergic colitis, and primary inflammatory bowel disease (lymphoplasmacytic, eosinophilic, granulomatous, and histiocytic types). Colitis may also occur after ingesting contaminated food, being in contact with infected dogs, or after chronic exposure to a wet environment. Stress colitis is one of the leading causes of large bowel diarrhea in all dogs.

Whatever the cause, the inflammation in the colon results in reduced water absorption and decreased ability to store feces in the colon. This causes the classic symptom of frequent small amounts of diarrhea, often with mucus or blood.

How is colitis diagnosed?

The diagnosis of colitis is based on your pet's clinical signs and history, microscopic evaluation of the feces, rectal examination, cytology, and blood tests. Additional testing such as radiographs (X-rays) to examine the colon and intestinal tract, colonoscopy and colon biopsies, fecal cultures, barium enemas, or ultrasound evaluation of the abdomen may be necessary in some cases. These tests are important to rule out conditions such as colonic tumors or polyps, irritable bowel syndrome, cecal inversion, and ileocecocolic intussusception (a rare condition in which the intestines 'telescope' or fold into themselves).

How is colitis treated?

Antimicrobial drugs may be indicated, depending on your dog's diagnosis. Anti-inflammatory or immunosuppressive drugs may be used in cases of inflammatory or immune-mediated colitis. Drugs that modify the colon's motility may also provide symptomatic relief.

What is the prognosis if my dog has colitis?

For most dogs diagnosed with colitis, the prognosis is excellent for a speedy recovery. Stress colitis is one of the leading causes of colitis in dogs. Treatment with a simple change in diet and medication to resolve the inflammation or infection in the colon is all that is required for most dogs. The majority of dogs experiencing stress colitis are back to normal within three to five days. Chronic, severe, or recurrent cases should have further diagnostic tests performed to determine the exact cause and proper treatment. For many dogs with chronic colitis, strict dietary control and careful use of medications keep the condition under control.

How much mucus is normal in dogs’ poop?

A little bit of mucus, sometimes, is normal. We know that these are subjective terms, and if you have any questions you can talk to your veterinarian about them. But, generally speaking, a small quantity of mucus from time to time is not a concern.

When mucus in dogs’ poop is a problem

If your dog is expelling a great deal of mucus, or if it’s happening all the time, you should bring them to the vet. This is especially true if the mucus comes along with blood, or your dog is expelling mucus without any accompanying stool. In general, if you’ve noticed a change in your dog’s bowel habits, and especially if they don’t seem to be feeling well, you should consult a veterinarian.

Too much mucus in a dog’s poop can be a sign of colitis

Excessive mucus in your dog’s poop is often a sign of colitis, or inflammation of the colon. Most dogs with colitis will have soft or liquid stool, and may also have blood in their feces. Some, but not most, dogs with colitis will vomit.

Colitis has many possible causes, including bacterial infections, parasites, stress, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. If a veterinarian believes that your dog has colitis, they may prescribe changes to their diet, temporary fasting, and/or medication. Colitis is usually very treatable.

Other reasons for excessive mucus in a dog’s poop

Aside from colitis, other reasons that a dog might have excessive mucus in their stool include:

• A change in diet
• Dietary indiscretions
• Allergies
• Toxins
• Ingestion of a foreign object

This list is not comprehensive, and a vet is best qualified to diagnose your dog.

What a vet will look for if your dog has mucus in their poop

When you bring your dog to the veterinarian, they will ask you some questions about your dog’s recent behavior and do a physical examination. After that, depending on what they find, they may do some tests. If you bring a stool sample, they may examine it for signs of certain conditions. They may draw blood, take urine, or perform a rectal examination. In some cases, a vet may use imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasound, or recommend that a dog receive a colonoscopy.

A veterinarian will often try changing a dog’s diet before undergoing more involved tests—sometimes, this alone will resolve the situation.

How a vet will treat conditions leading to mucus in a dog’s stool

In some situations—for example, if the dog has gastrointestinal upset because of a dietary indiscretion—all it takes for a dog to get better is time. Dietary changes are also often successful at clearing up excessive mucus, which can result from allergies. 

Dogs who require more treatment may receive medication to clear an infection or parasite, or to alleviate discomfort. If an object or growth needs to be removed, a dog may require surgery.

If you see mucus in your dog’s stool, be observant and take stock of the situation. It’s often no big deal; but if you notice any of the more alarming signs above, or if you’re just not sure, it won’t hurt to check in with a veterinarian for peace of mind. Most of the conditions we’ve listed are treatable—so if it turns out your pup is afflicted, you’ll probably be able to help them.

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   Why does my dog have slimy mucus poop?

   Too much mucus in a dog's poop can be a sign of colitis Colitis has many possible causes, including bacterial infections, parasites, stress, allergies, and inflammatory bowel disease. If a veterinarian believes that your dog has colitis, they may prescribe changes to their diet, temporary fasting, and/or medication.

   When should I worry about mucus in my dog's stool?

   When should I take my dog to the vet for mucus in their poop? If you see more mucus than normal, if there's blood along with it, or if it's accompanied by diarrhea, these are times to call your veterinarian.

   Is blood in dog poo an emergency?

   If you've noticed blood in your dog's stool and your dog also vomiting, refusing to eat, and looking unwell, it's time for an immediate trip to the vet. During normal business hours contact your regular vet and book an emergency appointment, after hours you should call your emergency vet.