A question about poop

[SuperWanda]

Occasionally one of my dogs stool looks like it is coated in a clear, jelly-like mucus. This happenes every so often and I've never really worried about it - but am now wondering what causes this and if I should be concerned? She gets a mix of Orijen kibble and fresh foods.

[Ford Girl]

Dazy had it once, it was a bacterial infection that had to be treated with antibiotics, it appeared 3 days in a row.

When I looked it up it (I was a new puppy owner, googled everything), I saw it could mean a bunch of things, from indigestion, irritation, infection, bacteria, allergies. Is it every now and then you say, do you recall a trigger like eating piles of grass or getting in to garbage or kitty litter?

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by SuperWanda

Occasionally one of my dogs stool looks like it is coated in a clear, jelly-like mucus.

The colon produces a clear, jelly-like mucous to facilitate the movement of the stool down and out of the colon. Sometimes there will be a small build up of mucous for no apparent reason - just how it happens as everything moves on down. In any disorder that causes inflammation of the colon, this mucous production can be increased and we see excess mucous. In and of itself, the mucous does not represent any specific disease. If all other signs of the gastrointestinal tract are normal and your pet seems fine, then I would just monitor.

[SuperWanda]

Thank you for the replies. She did gobble down something at the off-leash park - didn't see what it was. She has also been eating grass but that is not unusual for her during the summer.

If it continues I will contact my vet.

Thanks!

[pitgrrl]

One of my dogs always gets mucous covered stool the day after he eats either a lot of or the long/bigger variety of grass. Happens every single time

[Dr Lee]

Originally Posted by pitgrrl

One of my dogs always gets mucous covered stool the day after he eats either a lot of or the long/bigger variety of grass. Happens every single time

If the grass is creating a mild colitis or if a mild GI upset is leading to him eating the grass, then additional mucous may be created. Again, mucous itself does not indicate disease just the presence of colonic mucous.

[pitgrrl]

Originally Posted by Dr Lee

If the grass is creating a mild colitis or if a mild GI upset is leading to him eating the grass, then additional mucous may be created. Again, mucous itself does not indicate disease just the presence of colonic mucous.

Oh, I'm 100% sure the bigger, rougher grass is just irritating the colon, I just thought I'd throw it out there as an idea since it seems like the time of year that dogs turn into cows