When dogs shed their intestinal lining, this is usually due to intestinal parasites or a disturbed intestinal flora. In some cases, however, allergies, disturbed intestinal flora, intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammation and cancer can also be behind it.
A small amount of mucus is normal here and usually nothing to worry about. But too much is not a good sign, as the intestinal mucosa has several functions:
- Absorption of nutrients
- Protection against bacteria and parasites
- Contents slide through smoothly
- Absorbing the water [1]
Below you will learn about the 7 most common causes. You will also find out what other symptoms are typical here and what is recommended in a specific case.
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#1 Intestinal parasites
When dogs are infected with intestinal parasites, veterinarians usually speak of “endoparasites”. These are parasites that are inside. Examples are here:
- Tapeworms
- Roundworms
- Giardia
- Whipworms
- Hookworms [2]
Incidentally, internal parasites are almost as common as external parasites. It is precisely for this reason that doctors recommend regularly deworming your dog as a precaution.
This can usually be recognized by the dog having diarrhea with mucus. The mucus here is the shed intestinal mucosa. Other typical symptoms are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant diarrhea
- White worms in the stool
- Dog gets exhausted quickly
- Occasional cough
- Bloated stomach
- Nausea and vomiting [3]
Here you should carry out a worm treatment using special drops or tablets. This should completely solve the problem within a few days.
If the dog's intestines are attacked by parasites, this can result in the dog rejecting the intestinal lining. In the case of a severe infestation, it is also typical for the dog to inexplicably lose weight, get diarrhea and quickly become weak.
#2 Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Food is primarily broken down in the mouth and stomach. However, the actual absorption of nutrients takes place primarily in the small and large intestine.
The problem with chronic intestinal disease is that the intestine also partially loses its functionality. Already known risk factors are:
- Food intolerances
- Chronic stress conditions
- Bacterial imbalance
- Allergic reactions
- Intestinal parasites
- Inherited problems [4]
Affected dogs often lose weight despite eating a normal amount. The regular shedding of the intestinal mucosa is also typical here. Other symptoms include:
- Chronic vomiting
- Constant licking of lips
- Heavy saliva production
- Dog burps frequently
- Loss of appetite
- Loud bowel sounds
- Frequent diarrhea [5]
The curability here depends on the underlying cause. In all cases, however, the symptoms can be greatly reduced through medication and diet.
Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease are more likely to have problems absorbing nutrients. The inflammation often causes the dog to reject parts of the intestinal lining, vomit frequently and get chronic diarrhea.
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#3 Allergies & Intolerances
In direct comparison, intolerances are significantly more common in dogs than allergies. However, the consequences of this overlap greatly.
The problem here is that dogs can, in theory, react sensitively to anything. In practice, however, the following triggers are usually responsible:
- gluten
- Certain proteins
- Spices
- soy
- fillers
- Milk [6]
It is typical for both allergies and intolerances that the symptoms occur shortly after eating. The most common signs include:
- Swelling and redness
- Dog rejects intestinal lining
- Unexplained weight loss
- Loud stomach noises
- Severe flatulence
- Change in behavior after eating
- Dog breathes laboriously [7]
To identify allergies, an allergy test is the best choice. If there are existing intolerances, the food must be changed using the elimination process.
Intolerances and allergies to certain foods can cause dogs to develop chronic digestive problems. What is typical here is that affected four-legged friends vomit, shed their intestinal mucosa, become thinner and have flatulence.
#4 Disturbed intestinal flora
There are always “good” and “bad” bacteria in the dog’s intestines. This is completely normal. It only becomes a problem when the bad ones outweigh the bad ones.
Doctors also speak of a disturbed intestinal flora. The exact cause of the bacterial imbalance is still unclear. However, typical risk factors are:
- Spoiled dog food
- Inflammation in the stomach
- Food allergies
- Eating the feces of other animals
- Certain intolerances
- Contaminated meat [8]
It can usually be recognized by the fact that the dog gets diarrhea and even partially secretes the intestinal mucosa. Other typical symptoms are:
- Increased hunger
- Unexplained weight loss
- Changed stool color
- Growth disorders
- Loud bowel sounds [9]
In most cases, antibiotics are used for treatment. It is then important to rebuild the intestinal flora with the help of probiotics.
If the bacterial balance in the intestine is disturbed and the bad bacteria take over, digestive disorders usually occur. Affected dogs therefore often suffer from diarrhea, reject the intestinal lining and lose weight.
#5 Colon inflammation
The primary task of the colon is to remove water from the intestinal contents and add mucus to the stool. The latter is intended to improve gliding ability.
However, when the colon becomes inflamed, doctors call it “colitis”. The causes of this can be very diverse. Typical examples are here:
- Parasitic infestation
- Chronic stress
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Bacterial imbalance
- Internal injuries
- Allergies [10]
Such inflammation is usually painful and can be accompanied by cramps. However, dogs often hide pain. Other classic signs of this are:
- Dog always has to go out
- Shedding of the intestinal mucosa
- Pain during bowel movements
- Blood in the stool
- Shiny diarrhea
- Failed attempt to defecate
- Sudden weight loss [11]
The treatment depends on the suspected cause. Typically either the food is changed, antibiotics are prescribed or a worm treatment is carried out.
When colon inflammation occurs in dogs, dogs also shed their intestinal lining more often. Such an infection can usually be recognized by the fact that the dog constantly has to go out, has pain when defecating or there is even blood in the stool.
#6 Colon cancer
Less than 10% of all cancers are said to be caused by colon cancer. So it is one of the rare species. The exact cause of this is still unclear.
According to statistics, older dogs over 10 years old are primarily affected. Male dogs are affected here more often than female dogs. Breeds at highest risk include:
- German boxer
- Doberman
- West Highland White Terrier
- poodle
- Shar Pei
- Collies [12]
At the beginning, the signs can hardly be distinguished from more harmless causes. Among other things, this also includes the expulsion of the intestinal mucosa. Other symptoms include:
- Chronic vomiting
- Blood in the stool
- Loss of appetite
- Dog loses weight
- Black stool
- Dog tires quickly
- Listless behavior [13]
If diagnosed early, an attempt is usually made to remove the tumor surgically. However, if the cancer has already spread, chemotherapy may also be necessary.
In rare cases, the shedding of the intestinal lining is due to colon cancer. This primarily affects older male dogs of certain breeds. Typically there is also a loss of appetite, listless behavior and dark-colored stools.
#7 Irritable bowel syndrome
In irritable bowel syndrome, the brain sends the wrong signals to the intestines. It is a disorder of the nervous system between the brain and the intestines.
The causes of this are not yet known in more detail. However, according to research, the following risk factors play a central role:
- Stress and anxiety
- Intestinal obstruction
- Bacterial infections
- Parasitic infestation
- Allergies and intolerances
- Intestinal tumor [14]
In the early stages there is usually chronic diarrhea. But nausea and vomiting are also typical here. Other classic symptoms are:
- Loss of appetite
- Flatulence
- Dog rejects intestinal lining
- Depressive behavior
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Touch sensitivity
- weight loss [15]
Since the cause is usually unknown, treatment is rarely successful. In any case, if you suspect this, you should consult the vet.
Dogs with irritable bowel syndrome not only often suffer from digestive problems, but also usually shed their intestinal lining. Constant diarrhea, chronic vomiting and weight loss are among the most common symptoms.
Rare causes
- gastroenteritis
- Swallowing indigestible things
- Chronic stress
- Viral infections [16]
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