 The Short Answer is: |
It is possible for puppies recently dewormed to have blood and mucus in their stool as a sign that the treatment has been effective. In some cases, the dog may eliminate parasites for up to two weeks, but if problems like blood and mucus in the stool are not resolved within a few days, it might be best to see a vet. |
In this article you will know the answer to the query “Why Is There Mucus And Blood In Stool After Deworming?“.
There is a sixth sense developed by pet parents that alerts them if there is something odd about their dogs stool.
If you have a brand new puppy that is quite adorable but also extremely vulnerable you feel the need to constantly be on the lookout for any danger. Even if you do not usually pay attention to your dogs feces you will certainly notice mucus and blood in their stool.
Should you be concerned if you see mucus or blood in the dogs stool? Most likely not but you need to understand how deworming works what to expect in the following days and what is normal.
How do dewormers work?
Despite your best efforts it is almost impossible to keep your dog from getting worms. In the course of his life every dog will contract some kind of worm.
Heartworms roundworms hookworms tapeworms coccidia and whipworms are some of the most common types of worms that dogs can contract.
While heartworms are the most dangerous even those that do not pose a life-threatening threat can cause significant problems. Moreover a dog can get infected so easily.
Worms are typically excreted through feces and even if the poop is removed and disposed of they may stay in the soil.
By killing or paralyzing the worms dewormers allow the body to eliminate them. If you use a broad-spectrum drug to eliminate all worms or medications designed to target specific parasites such as giardia or coccidia the process is basically the same.
There are drugs that show results in as little as 2 hours and others that can take up to 12 hours to kill parasites.
Whenever you deworm your dog you should examine his feces regardless of how unpleasant it might be. Although some parasites are too small to be seen with the naked eye others are large enough to be visible in a dogs feces.
There are some tapeworms that are broken into smaller pieces while others are intact. Even after the paralysis wears off some are still alive. Worms may be found in the dogs stool for 1-2 weeks and there is nothing to worry about. Although its a little gross at least the medicine is working.
Why might there be blood in the puppy’s stool after deworming?
The presence of blood in the puppys stool after deworming is normal. Blood is what you may see in the feces because the parasites were feeding on it. During the process of killing and destroying them in the intestines blood is expelled into the feces and not absorbed. The deworming process should not cause concerns unless you notice a lot of blood in the feces which might indicate another problem. Pay attention to the blood color. Bleeding in the lower intestines might be indicated by bright redness and you should see a veterinarian.
Remember that after deworming your dog he should not have blood in the stool for longer than two days. Consult your veterinarian if the problem persists.
Why is there mucus in the puppy’s stool after deworming?
There is nothing abnormal about mucus. In order to facilitate the elimination of feces the dogs GI tract produces mucus.
There is probably some mucus in the puppys poop most of the time. When your dog has been dewormed you may notice that they have more mucus than normal which is nothing to worry about. The next step is to determine whether your dog is suffering from other symptoms.
There are many side effects associated with deworming medicines. Deworming may cause side effects so it is important to know what to expect.
Dewormers commonly cause the following side effects:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
Give the dog another dose of medicine this time with some food if he vomits right after receiving the medication.
A dogs system is digesting the dead worms which can cause diarrhea for a few days.
If you have an elderly or immunocompromised dog you should never deworm him without consulting a vet first as the medicine might put further strain on his liver and cause a host of health issues.
You should keep in mind that most dogs behave quite normally after deworming. Keep an eye on your dog and see if hes his usual self interested in playing and going for walks. Theres no need to be concerned about a little blood or mucus in his poop if he seems to be doing his usual tricks.
When is mucus in the dog’s poop the sign of a problem?
Mucus is normal in the intestines because they need a bit of lubricant but too much mucus may indicate a problem. If your pet has an isolated incident you may not need to be concerned but if it happens regularly you should have them checked out.
An excessive amount of mucus produced by your dogs GI tract is usually a sign of colitis.
Colic is an inflammation of the dogs colon the last segment of the intestinal tract. Aside from excessive mucus here are a few other things to keep an eye out for:
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Only mucus coming out
- Fever
- Abnormally large stools
It is possible for your dog to get colitis for many reasons.
Intestinal parasites
In an ironic twist excessive mucus production can often be caused by worms. The dog will need to be dewormed and he might show too much mucus in his stool. It is more likely that Giardia and whipworms cause inflammation in the intestines.
Stress
Stress can be a serious health issue for dogs too and colitis is just one example. What causes dogs to be stressed? Dogs can be stressed physically as well as mentally. A medical procedure or strenuous exercise are examples of physical stressors. Psychological stress can arise when there is a change in the household such as the arrival of a new baby or moving to a new home. In the event that your pet is left at a boarding facility for a couple of days he may become anxious or depressed. Although he may not be able to tell you this if you notice changes in his bowel movements it may be stress colitis.
Colitis is more common in dogs who are anxious by nature. A certain breed may not be more prone to such problems but age can be a factor. Young puppies are more likely to get stressed so if your puppy shows signs of colitis try analyzing what psychological problems he may have.
Bacterial infection
While you’re worried about worms do not forget that bacteria and viruses can be just as dangerous. Infection with Salmonella or E. Coli is one of the most common causes of bacterial colitis. Consider whether the puppy might have eaten something he should not have if you notice mucus in his poop. Puppies are just as curious as adults. A dietary indiscretion is not to be ruled out since they will stick their nose everywhere and taste whatever they find.
Inflammatory bowel disease
Chronic irritation of the GI tract is an indication of inflammatory bowel disease which can be caused by infections allergies parasites or genetic issues.
How is excessive mucus diagnosed?
In the event that your dogs poop contains excessive mucus you should take him to the vet. Nevertheless the vet will want to see a stool sample so make sure you have that on hand.
In order to determine whether stress or dietary indiscretions are behind the problem the doctor will ask various questions. Veterinarians will run various tests to check for parasites and bacteria if there is no obvious cause.
Additionally the vet will try to determine whether it is mucus or fat that is coating the dogs stool. It is a completely different issue and it usually indicates that the dog is eating too much fat or his gallbladder or pancreas is malfunctioning.
What’s the treatment for excessive mucus in a puppy’s stool?
Depending on the underlying cause the treatment will vary. If the problem is parasites he will recommend deworming. Usually bacterial infections require antibiotics and your dog will also need prebiotics to balance the microbiome.
The problem that makes your puppy miserable will need to be addressed if your puppy has stress colitis. Anxious dogs should be stimulated physically and mentally.
A veterinarian may also recommend dietary changes such as increasing fiber intake which will help stool pass more easily and reduce inflammation.
Conclusion
It is possible for puppies recently dewormed to have blood and mucus in their stool as a sign that the treatment has been effective. In some cases the dog may eliminate parasites for up to two weeks but if problems like blood and mucus in the stool are not resolved within a few days it might be best to see a vet.
The excessive mucus in the feces may very well be a coincidence and not related to the deworming medicine. There is a possibility that it is a sign of colitis which can be caused by a variety of factors.
Amanda (Author)
With over a decade of experience, Amanda is a distinguished dog trainer. Her expertise in canine behavior has transformed countless lives, fostering harmonious human-canine connections. Through compassionate and personalized approaches, she empowers owners to understand and connect with their furry companions, creating a legacy of joyful tails and transformed lives.
Osvaldo Maciel (Content Reviewer)
Osvaldo Maciel, a stalwart in the field with 14 years of experience, is a revered dog trainer. His journey is defined by a profound understanding of canine behavior, shaping unbreakable human-canine bonds. Osvaldo guides owners to connect with their beloved pets, leaving an indelible mark of happiness and transformation. His legacy shines through the countless lives he has touched.
