If the dog a lot Mucus from the anus excretes or even acts as if it were rejecting the intestinal mucosa, it is actually always there colon behind it.
Often they are Causes Rather harmless and quick to solve. But sometimes there are treacherous problems behind it that are difficult to get under control.
In this article you can find out why your four-legged friend is rejecting intestinal mucosa the 11 most common reasons for that. Furthermore, I ask you 6 possible solutions which can be considered for many causes.
11 common reasons for shedding intestinal mucosa in dogs
1. Endoparasites
The most common reason why a dog has slimy stool is: Endoparasites. These are microorganisms that prefer to live in the intestines of four-legged friends. They are often worms, but other life forms such as giardia also belong to this group.
A parasite infestation really messes up the intestinal flora. In large populations of parasites, for example, the large intestine reacts allergically and expels more mucus.
Dogs often – but not always – suffer from this other digestive disorders such as vomiting or diarrhea. Occasionally it is even possible to detect eggs or even adult worms in the feces or vomit of your four-legged friend.
2. Inflammation of the colon
One Colon inflammation is also called Colitis designated. It can occur both acutely and chronically. The causes are varied, the most well-known contributing factors include:
- Inflammation spreading to the intestines
- Bacterial imbalance and
- Overloading of the gastrointestinal tract, for example due to too much food.
When colitis occurs, the colon often reacts with one increased mucus formation: The body wants one of these protective layer build up. This is also released into the rectum and thus covers the four-legged friend's feces.
3. Chronic intestinal inflammation (IBD)
A fairly common disease in dogs is the so-called “Inflammatory Bowel Disease” short IBD called. This is one autoimmune disease, The immune system therefore attacks its own body. The large intestine is particularly affected.
Although this is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases in dogs, the disease is unfortunately still poorly researched. What is certain, however, is that the inflammation primarily attacks the mucous membranes.
These then try to protect themselves with mucus, which then comes out in the feces, for example. Due to the inflammation it is often bloody-reddish in color.
4. “Leaky Gut Syndrome”
Also the so-called “Leaky Gut Syndrome” is closely linked to autoimmune diseases. The Intestinal mucosa is permanently damaged.
Initially this means that the body tries to defend itself against it with more mucus. In the advanced stage, however, the mucous membranes are barely functional.
This is very dangerous: Nutrients and pollutants then enter the blood almost unfiltered and can cause serious illnesses including sepsis.
5. Bacterial & viral infections
Also those that got into the large intestine Bacteria or viruses can cause the body to respond by producing mucus, which then coats the feces.
These are often infections E. coli Bacteria, also as Colibacillosis known. One of the most dangerous viral diseases in the intestines is parvovirus, which particularly affects puppies and weakened animals: it can quickly become fatal and is highly contagious.
6. Side effect of medication
Your dog gets it Medication? Then it may be that Side effects attack the intestinal mucosa.
In particular Antibiotics are known for this: They kill harmful bacteria, but also useful ones. This means that the balance of the intestinal flora is disrupted.
The result is often inflammation of the colon caused by medication: experts also refer to this as “pseudomembranous colitis”. The intestine then tries to protect itself with excretions from the intestinal mucosa.
7. Feed intolerances & -allergies
Also common cause of problems with the intestinal mucosa are Feed intolerances. The body then reacts allergically to certain components of the food and tries to eliminate them as quickly as possible.
This is often the case vegetable or animal proteins, Accordingly, certain types of meat or grain are often the cause. If the food makes it into the large intestine, the body tries to neutralize the supposed pollutants with mucus.
In general, a distinction is made between two different phenomena that cause very similar symptoms: One Food allergy is innate, one -intolerance however, is acquired over time.
8. Upset stomach
But the intestinal mucosa can too irritated by an upset stomach become. Then in most cases the dog has eaten something spoiled or ingested a foreign body.
If the contaminated stomach contents pass through the stomach, the intestine tries to defend itself against the “invaders”. Therefore, mucus is released in the large intestine.
Four-legged friends are often affected Ate garbage or carrion have. Also spoiled food – e.g. in the form of not optimally stored wet or BARF food, is a common cause.
9. Metabolic problems
The intestinal mucosa can also be affected by Metabolic diseases become irritated. These include, for example, pancreas as well as Liver- and Kidney disease.
Then defensive reactions occur in the large intestine, which often causes the four-legged friends' feces to become covered in mucus.
10. Tumor diseases
Tumors can also attack the intestinal lining. This is often the case Colon tumors.
Common colon tumors in dogs
- Adenoma
- Adenocarcinoma
- Leiomyoma
- Leiomyosarcoma
- Lymphoma
- Gastrointestinal goiter tumor
- Mast cell tumor
- Carcinoids
Source: Dr. Thomas Grammel / Immune Therapy Vet.
Affected dogs are usually older and often also show pain in the abdomen, and blood in the stool often occurs. Unfortunately, many intestinal tumors metastasize quite quickly without quick treatment The prognosis is therefore rather unfavorable.
11. Stress relief
And finally it could stress be that causes the intestinal mucosa to overreact: The mucus releases high amounts of… “Happiness hormone” serotonin free. This may be used to “Stress hormones” such as adrenaline or cortisol to neutralize.
Dogs suffering from stress often show clear signs such as hyperactive or too calm behavior, defensive posture or loss of appetite. External factors are usually responsible, such as too much noise or hustle and bustle, excessive exertion or other (pet) animals that make life hell for your four-legged friend at home or on the walk.
Dog rejects intestinal mucosa: 6 solutions
If a dog suddenly excretes mucus through the anus, you should be careful: Although there are some causes that are relatively harmless, many reasons are also more serious and can even be life-threatening.
That's why you have to Watch the dog closely and also on possible other symptoms Pay attention: This way you can narrow down the possible causes and find a solution that helps more quickly.
1. Keep a close eye on poop
First of all, you should definitely keep a close eye on the dog's feces:
Catalog of questions
- Is the feces regularly covered in mucus?
- Is there more or less slimy film observed over time?
- Is the stool rather solid or even watery?
- Is the mucus streaked with blood?
- Does the feces have a healthy, brownish color?
- Can you identify eggs or even live or dead worms?
are just some of the questions you should ask yourself. However, when you look at it, you should be careful, Because many parasites and also some bacteria and viruses can, if you are unlucky, pass from dogs to people.
It is ideal when looking at it Gloves and protective mask to wear. You should also clean the area well after removing the droppings. You can find out more about this in our article “Worms in dogs: How to clean your apartment”.
2. Regular deworming of the dog
Since parasites are one of the most common causes of the problem, you should also seriously think about it Have your dog dewormed more regularly than before. This particularly affects four-legged friends who… risk group and, for example, spend a lot of time outdoors unsupervised.
This is how often dogs should be dewormed
There is no general rule for how often a dog needs to be dewormed; it depends on many different factors. You can find out more about this in our information article “Deworming a dog – when and how often?”.
Virtually all veterinarians recommend dogs with special Antiparasitics to deworm. They have been clinically tested and are harmless to four-legged friends, but are significantly more effective than herbal remedies.
3. Feed change
However, if it turns out that your four-legged friend suffers from a food allergy or intolerance, digestion will not improve on its own. To calm the colon and mucous membranes, only one thing helps: You have to change the food.
Don't forget treats
Attention: It's not just the main food that can trigger intolerances. So you should too treat, that your four-legged friend receives, critically question it and, if the intestines continue to be irritated, replace it with another recipe.
There are still many dog owners who come along Elimination diets work: Then an attempt is made to replace the food with a recipe that contains other ingredients. This can be successful quickly, but it often takes a long time until the allergen is identified in this way.
Switching to one is much more promising hypoallergenic variety. These mixtures deliberately avoid practically all of the ingredients that often cause problems. The feed is grain-free and often uses exotic animal protein sources.
4. Give the dog some rest
If the dog is weakened by an infection or is suffering from stress, it will help him above all to give yourself peace and quiet. Strenuous activities should then be avoided for the time being unless your four-legged friend is enthusiastic.
Also Stress factors such as noise, annoying companions on the go or hardships such as car journeys should then be reduced permanently. This way the dog regains its balance and can use its energy to regenerate its body.
5. Intestinal cleansing
If an unbalanced intestinal flora affects the colon in such a way that the mucous membrane overreacts, then one could also Intestinal cleansing come into question. The aim is then to bring the microorganisms in the digestive tract back into balance.
Animal alternative practitioner and physiotherapist Natalie Klug with valuable tips on intestinal structure in dogs. Source: Natalie Klug /…