Dr GCS Kurugala, Veterinary Surgeon, (B.V.Sc; M.Sc Poultry Science; Master of Public Administration & Management)
As a responsible owner you should examine the nature of your dog’s excreata because it says a lot about your pet’s health. The information regarding the colour of your dog’s excreta is very important for the vet to diagnose the illness of the dog.
Dogs’ excreta comes in different colours. Normally it should be brown. In abnormal situations the colour can vary from black or very dark to red, pink , purple, grey or greasy, white spotting, yellow, orange or green. Here’s how to tell if your dog’s excreta is healthy or not.
Black- It could be a sign of blood entering their stomach and getting digested. This can mean that your dog may have an ulcer in its stomach or intestines. It could be a sign that your dog has been poisoned.
Red - Red is a sure sign of blood. This could result from inflammation or bleeding in their gastrointestinal tract, an injury in your dog’s rectum, an infection in your dog’s anus or anal glands, or the worst scenario could be a tumor
With mucous - A slight mucous layer is normal. When a very substantial, thick layer of mucous covers the stools, your pooch has inflammation in his colon from dietary indigestion, stress, parasites or an infection.
Pink or purple- Stools can be a symptom of gut injury caused by a variety of things, including, diseases of your dog’s immune system, intestinal parasites/bacteria
Grey or greasy – Stools coming in big, soft mounds, could mean an illness in the pancreas better known as maldigestion. German Shepherds and Collies are especially prone to getting this. A vet can treat this condition in your dog easily.
White spotting - If their excreta has little white spots in it, your dog might have worms. Take your pet to the vet soon for deworming.
Yellow - If your dog’s stools are coming out yellow, it could be a sign of an upset stomach due to food intolerance. Be careful of what your dog eats.
Orange –Stools in orange colour could mean problems in their liver, gall bladder or bile ducts. Sometimes, the reason could be that the food it eats passing too quickly through its gut.
Green- Green stools can be a sign that your dog’s eating way too much grass. It could signify something much worse, though, like parasites or eating rat poison.
If excreta of your dog are not normal, observe and get more information and check if it occurs continuously. If so meet the vet immediately. Better if you can take a photo of it at least in case if you cannot take a sample.
