One of the signs that indicates the good he alth of our pet is the shape and consistency of its feces. Normal stools are those that are brown in color, firm in consistency and easy to pick up from the ground. Diarrhea is usually one of the frequent problems that our dogs and cats present, this being a symptom and not a disease in itself. There are several types of diarrhea, one of them being diarrhea with mucus.
In this article on our site, we will delve into the causes and treatment of diarrhea with snot in dogs. We recommend that you continue reading if this topic is of interest to you.
What is mucous diarrhea?
Diarrhea is defined as deposition of liquid consistency, increased in volume and frequency. In addition, diarrhea can present blood, solid remains, parasites or mucus, among other things. In the case of diarrhea with mucus in dogs, the mucus present is a viscous and shiny substance that comes from the large intestine, although the most common is to find diarrhea mixed (small intestine and large intestine).
The causes of diarrhea depend on its acute or chronic presentation, mucus can be found in both. As we will see later, in both cases the dietary treatment is essential to achieve a successful cure.
In this other article we show you what to do if my dog has diarrhea? - Causes and treatment.
Types of diarrhea in dogs
Diarrhea is characterized by a change in stool consistency, which does not mean that all diarrheal stools are the same. There are stools with more water content and others with a more pasty consistency. There are several classifications of diarrhea in dogs:
- Depending on its presentation: acute (3-5 days) or chronic (weeks).
- Depending on its origin: small intestine diarrhea, large intestine diarrhea or mixed.
- According to its cause: parasitic, viral, bacterial, dietary, inflammatory, etc.
- According to its components: with blood (fresh or digested, also called melena), with mucus, with foreign bodies (parasites macroscopic, plant remains, etc.).
If you want to know more about the types of diarrhea in dogs, take a look at this article on our site Types of diarrhea in dogs.
Causes of diarrhea with mucus in dogs
If it occurs acutely, that is, it appears suddenly and lasts 2 to 5 days approximately, the The most frequent causes are usually those that damage the intestinal mucosa altering the permeability of the intestine or causes that increase the secretory processes, generating characteristic diarrheal stools. Next, we detail the causes of diarrhea with snot in dogs:
- Bacteria: which are usually found in spoiled food and cause food poisoning, such as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.
- Parasites: such as the protozoan Giardia spp., which produces diarrhea with abundant mucus.
- Virus: such as canine parvovirus or canine coronavirus.
- Food: food indiscretion, when they eat a lot of food that is not adequate.
- Toxic: such as the phytosanitary products present in parks when they fumigate, the products we use to clean the house, etc.
- Foreign bodies: sand, vegetable remains, toys, etc.
Chronic diarrhea is defined as diarrhea lasting more than two weeks, the most common causes being inflammatory diseases and tumors, among other.
You must bear in mind that diarrhea is a clinical sign and can be part of the picture of a systemic disease, that is, there may be extraintestinal causes such as kidney disease, for example. For all these reasons, if after a week the dog still has diarrhea, it will be necessary to go to the vet.
Treatment of diarrhea with snot in dogs
The treatment of diarrhea with mucus in dogs is based on treating the symptoms and the primary cause (if it has direct treatment). For example, if it is diarrhea due to parasites, we will treat it with an antiparasitic drug. However, if it is viral diarrhea, there is no treatment, and if it is bacterial diarrhea, antibiotics are used. In the case of diarrhea due to ingestion of a foreign body, our pet will have to undergo surgery/endoscopy.
Sometimes, when the cause is dietary, diarrhea is self-limiting and requires practically no treatment, but our veterinarian should indicate this option.
The common supportive treatment for all mucus diarrhea in dogs is:
- Hydration: orally, if the animal accepts it and does not present symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, etc. Otherwise, it can be given parenterally (intravenously or subcutaneously).
- Drugs: to treat abdominal pain, fever, gas, etc. Here we show you 10 signs of pain in dogs.
- Nutritional balance: balance electrolyte and nutritional deficit taking into account maintenance needs, losses, etc. This will be done at the vet if the acute diarrhea is severe and the animal's physical condition is serious.
- Probiotics and prebiotics: which will help restore the intestinal microbiota, as you will see in this other article on Probiotics for dogs.
- Digestible and balanced diet: Fasting from solids and starting a highly digestible and balanced diet (proteins, carbohydrates and fibre) when consider the vet. The portions will be small and frequent and without forcing the animal. This diet can be homemade or commercial, but we should always consult a professional, since there is a misconception of giving only a source of carbohydrates such as rice.
- Isolation: In the case of infectious diarrhea, isolation of the pet is recommended, especially if it lives with others animals.
This other article on Soft diet for dogs with diarrhea can also help you.
