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Post-surgery dog poop is mushy, not diarrhea. Should I be concerned?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | French Bulldog | Male | unneutered | 2 years and 6 months old | 23 lbs

Lou had surgery for IVDD on 7/19/18 he’s doing really well walking and using the bathroom 1&2 also eating and drinking. This afternoon he #2 and it started out normal but then went mushy. I’m not sure if I should be concerned. His paperwork said to look for vomiting and diarrhea and notify if so but it wasn’t quite diarrhea. What do I do?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Sara Farmer, DVM

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 6, 2018

I wouldn't call this diarrhea either, and unless it progresses or if you see blood or mucous I don't think you need to alert your vet.

I'm attaching a link to a chart (feel free to print it out and hang on your fridge ;) that gives a score to the continuum of firm stool to diarrhea. I consider diarrhea to be a score 6 or 7.
https://www.proplanveterinarydiets.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/PPPVD-Fecal-Scoring-Chart-EN-FINAL.pdf
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