At times, dog owners may notice the presence of some mucus in their dog's stools. Its appearance may not be indicative of any particular illness; however, repeated occurrences or the presence of other symptoms should be reported to a veterinarian.
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Appearance
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Mucus in the stool may appear as a slippery, transparent, jelly-like or whitish discharge. This discharge is often seen on top or mixed within the stool.
Consideration
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The mucus found in a dog's stool is in most cases produced by the colon. While the function of such mucus is to make the evacuating process easier, occasionally more mucus than usual may be produced.
Effects
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The presence of mucus in the stool may therefore be indicative of an inflammation of the dog's intestinal tract. When the intestinal tract is red and inflamed, the body responds by coating it with a protective mucus lining, which can be seen in the stools.
Causes
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An inflammation of the dog's intestinal tract may be due to an abrupt change in diet, food intolerance, stress or the presence of bacteria or intestinal parasites.
Solution
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For minor cases, fasting the dog and then providing a homemade bland diet of boiled rice and skinless and boneless chicken may help. More serious cases require prompt veterinary intervention.
Warning
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If other clinical signs accompany the presence of mucus, such as bloody stools, diarrhea or lethargy, a veterinarian visit is recommended. This also applies if the mucus is present in the stool for more than a day or two, indicating an ongoing issue that needs to be addressed.
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