Learn about pancreatitis in dogs and cats — symptoms, causes, treatment at vet clinics, prevention, and when to seek hospital care or veterinary attention.
What to Know about Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
Pancreatitis is a serious condition that affects both dogs and cats, causing inflammation of the pancreas — a vital organ that plays a major role in digestion and blood sugar regulation.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed, pets can experience symptoms such as vomiting, becoming unusually tired, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and other concerning signs.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital can help improve the patient’s recovery outcomes, and are crucial for managing pancreatitis in dogs and cats. In severe cases, hospital care may be needed to support recovery.
This article aims to help you understand the possible causes, symptoms, treatment options for canine and feline pancreatitis, and how you may prevent the condition.
Understanding Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
What Does the Pancreas Do?
The pancreas is an essential organ that helps your pet digest food and regulate blood sugar. It produces:
- Digestive enzymes that break down fats, proteins, and carbohydrates in food.
- Insulin to control blood sugar levels.
When the pancreas becomes inflamed, these enzymes can activate too early, leading to self-digestion — essentially, the pancreas starts breaking itself down. This causes pain, swelling, and damage to the surrounding organs.
Is it Acute or Chronic Pancreatitis?
Pancreatitis can be classified into two types: acute and chronic.
1. Acute pancreatitis – Sudden and severe, with intense symptoms like vomiting, dehydration, and abdominal pain.
2. Chronic pancreatitis – A milder but ongoing condition, with occasional flare-ups and long-term digestive issues. The chronic form is more common in cats and can contribute to conditions like diabetes mellitus over time. Diabetes mellitus is when the pancreas no longer produces enough insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.
Symptoms of Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
Pancreatitis symptoms in animals vary depending on whether the condition is acute (sudden and severe) or chronic (milder but persistent).
Dogs often show more obvious signs like vomiting, diarrhea, and the ‘praying position’ (pictured) where they stretch their front legs forward while the hind legs are upright, in order to relieve pain.
Cats tend to have subtle symptoms, making feline pancreatitis often harder to detect. Instead of vomiting, they may become lethargic, refuse food, or develop jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes). In cats, chronic pancreatitis is also more common than acute cases.
Pancreatitis in cats often occurs alongside triaditis, which is a condition where the pancreas, liver, and intestines become inflamed at the same time. Because these organs are closely connected, inflammation in one can trigger issues in the others, making diagnosis and treatment potentially more complex in cats.
When Should You See a Vet?
If your pet is vomiting, lethargic, or is eating less or not at all (appetite loss / inappetence), seek veterinary care promptly. Severe cases will require hospitalisation for the pet, to receive IV floods, pain relief, and supportive care.
Acute Pancreatitis Symptoms
Acute cases can be life-threatening for pets and may need urgent care at a vet clinic. Symptoms could vary between species.
Pancreatitis symptoms in dogs:
- Vomiting and pancreatitis in dogs are closely linked; often the vomiting is with bile
- Diarrhoea, sometimes greasy or foul-smelling
- Lethargy and weakness
- Abdominal pain; dogs may assume a ‘praying position’
- Loss of appetite and dehydration
- Collapse or shock in severe cases, requiring hospital care for pancreatitis in pets
Pancreatitis Symptoms in Cats:
- Loss of appetite and lethargy are common early signs for cats
- Weight loss and intermittent vomiting
- Jaundice (yellowing of skin, gums, or eyes)
- Diarrhoea, which is less common with feline pancreatitis but still possible
Chronic Pancreatitis Symptoms
Chronic pancreatitis develops slowly and may therefore go unnoticed by pet owners, sometimes for months. We recommend seeking your veterinarian’s advice if you are concerned or suspect your pet may have the chronic condition.
In dogs, it may lead to intermittent vomiting, especially after meals, and periods of inappetence whereby they refuse food occasionally, and low energy. Dogs could also have ongoing digestive issues such as diarrhoea or soft stools.
Meanwhile, chronic pancreatitis in cats often causes gradual weight loss, occasional vomiting, and reduced appetite. There may also be mild lethargy, with the cat not being as active or playful as before.
Why is Early Detection Important?
If left untreated, pancreatitis can cause serious complications like diabetes, organ damage, or even life-threatening conditions. The sooner your pet receives veterinary or hospital care, the better their chances of recovery.
For questions or bookings, please WhatsApp our friendly Paws N’ Claws veterinary team at 8891 4417 for the Upper Thomson clinic or 8809 0787 for our Yishun clinic.
Causes and Risk Factors of Pancreatitis in Pets
Diet, underlying health conditions, and genetics are among the factors that can trigger the condition. Understanding these causes can help you prevent and manage it for your dog or cat.
Diet:
- Dogs: High-fat foods, table scraps (from the pet owner’s meals), and garbage ingestion are common triggers.
- Cats: Though cases are often idiopathic (no clear cause) for many cats, obesity and high-fat diets may contribute to feline pancreatitis.
Breed predisposition:
- Dogs: Certain breeds are more at risk, including Miniature Schnauzers, English Cocker Spaniels, and Yorkshire Terriers.
- Cats: There is no strong breed predisposition, but any cat can develop pancreatitis, especially when they also have chronic health conditions.
Health issues and medications:
- Obesity, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are among the medical conditions that can increase the risk of pancreatitis in both dogs and cats.
- Immune-mediated diseases (such as autoimmune pancreatitis or IMHA) can make dogs more susceptible to pancreatitis.
- Feline triaditis — where the pancreas, liver, and intestines are all inflamed — is common in cats.
- Medications: Certain drugs, like corticosteroids or chemotherapy treatments, may trigger pancreatitis in animals.
How Vets Diagnose Pancreatitis
Diagnosing the condition in animals can be tricky because its symptoms overlap with other conditions. Veterinarians typically rely on a combination of clinical signs, diagnostic tests, and imaging to confirm pancreatitis in dogs and cats.
If you suspect your pet has pancreatitis, visiting a vet clinic or animal hospital is essential for diagnosis and timely treatment.
Challenges in Diagnosis
Diagnosing pancreatitis can be tricky because its symptoms — such as vomiting, lethargy, and abdominal pain — are similar to those of many other illnesses.
This makes it important for veterinarians to take a thorough approach in evaluating your pet and carefully review your pet’s medical history, including any underlying conditions, medications, or recent changes in diet.
Routine blood tests can be helpful in showing signs of inflammation. However, they do not always provide a clear or conclusive diagnosis of pancreatitis specifically.
To confirm the condition, your veterinarian will likely use a combination of specialised blood tests, imaging, and close observation.
Diagnostic Tests for Pancreatitis
• Pancreatic-specific blood tests (like the cPLI or fPLI test) are often used to check for elevated pancreatic enzymes. However, these tests might need to be combined with other methods, as they are not always fully accurate.
• Imaging: Ultrasound is usually an effective method to visualise pancreatic inflammation, and can provide detailed images of the pancreas. X-rays can help rule out other conditions, such as foreign bodies or tumours.
• Additional tests: In more severe cases of pancreatitis, your veterinarian may suggest additional tests such as clotting times, biopsies, or cultures to check for complications such as infections or organ damage.
Getting a full evaluation at a veterinary clinic or animal hospital can help determine the best course of treatment for your pet.
Treating and Managing Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
Once an animal is diagnosed with pancreatitis, treatment typically involves supportive care to manage symptoms, prevent complications, and help the pancreas heal.
Whether your dog or cat is treated at a vet clinic as an outpatient, or is hospitalised with overnight monitoring, your veterinarian will develop a tailored treatment plan to ensure the best possible outcome.
To contact Paws N’ Claws, please call or WhatsApp 8891 4417 (Upper Thomson) or 8809 0787 (Yishun).
Supportive Care for Pets With Pancreatitis
In many cases, veterinarians focus on supportive care. This could include:
- Intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration and maintain proper hydration levels
- Pain management to ease abdominal discomfort
- Anti-nausea medications to help with vomiting and prevent further dehydration
- Stomach protectants, such as antacids, to help soothe and protect the stomach lining
Nutritional Support
Making sure your pet gets the right nutrition without further stressing the pancreas is one of the most important aspects of managing pancreatitis.
Depending on your cat or dog’s condition:
- If the patient is not eating or reluctant to eat, your vet may use appetite stimulants or place a feeding tube in more severe cases.
- A bland, low-fat diet is usually recommended to give the pancreas time to heal. Specialised prescription diets are often used for long-term management to avoid recurrence.
Hospitalisation
In severe or critical cases — such as when your pet is unable to eat, needs IV medications, or is showing signs of shock — inpatient hospital care may be necessary. Your cat or dog could require overnight monitoring and intensive care until their condition stabilises.
To find out more about hospitalisation care at Paws N’ Claws Vet, please WhatsApp us at 8891 4417 for the Upper Thomson vet clinic or 8809 0787 for our Yishun vet clinic.
Long-Term Management
Once your pet is stable, your vet may recommend long-term management including:
- Dietary adjustments to prevent future flare-ups
- Regular vet checkups to monitor their recovery and overall health
- Managing underlying conditions, such as diabetes or obesity, to lower the risk of recurrence
By following these guidelines and working closely with your trusted veterinarian, many pets can live a happy, healthy life after recovering from pancreatitis. Early intervention and ongoing management will go a long way in preventing future issues.
Recovery and Prognosis
The recovery outlook for pancreatitis in dogs and cats depends on how severe the condition is and how quickly treatment is started. With prompt veterinary care, many pets recover well, while some of the more severe cases will require ongoing management.
Mild cases: Pets may recover within one to two weeks with proper treatment and a low-fat diet.
Severe cases: Hospitalisation may be needed, and the prognosis (i.e. likely outcome or course of the medical condition) varies depending on complications such as organ damage.
Chronic cases: Long-term dietary management and regular vet health checkups will often be required. That said, many pets can still maintain a good quality of life.
Possible Long-Term Problems
Occasionally, pancreatitis can lead to a few complications in animals which might have long-term consequences.
One common complication is the development of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), which is a condition where the pancreas fails to produce enough digestive enzymes, leading to malabsorption (difficulty in digesting or absorbing nutrients from food) and weight loss. EPI may be treated with daily administration of enzyme tablets or powder in the food.
Diabetes mellitus could also potentially result from pancreatitis if there is damage to many of the insulin-producing cells. This will usually require lifelong insulin therapy.
With chronic pancreatitis, the patient may also feel recurrent or persistent pain due to the long-standing inflammation which can lead to fibrosis and scarring. Managing chronic pain in pets typically involves dietary changes, long-term pain management strategies, and supportive care.
Preventing Pancreatitis
Pet owners can minimise the risk of pancreatitis through dietary management and lifestyle.
Dietary precautions:
- Limit or remove high-fat foods, such as greasy meats, table scraps from human food, and fatty treats.
- Avoid sudden diet changes, which can upset the pancreas. Transition to new foods gradually.
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet. Choose pet food formulated for your pet’s age and health needs.
- Control portion: Obesity is a risk factor, so do avoid overfeeding your pet.
Lifestyle factors:
- Maintain a healthy weight and make sure your pet gets regular exercise.
- Limit your dog or cat’s access to garbage and human food, such as by securing rubbish bins and preventing them from scavenging outdoors.
- Regular vet check-ups especially for pets with predisposing conditions such as obesity or diabetes — visit your vet clinic or animal hospital to monitor your pet’s health, detect any underlying health issues early, and prevent future flare-ups.
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With proper care, many pets lead happy, active lives after recovering from pancreatitis. Early intervention by veterinary professionals also greatly improves the chances of recovery.
At Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery in Singapore, we are Fear-Free aligned, prioritising your pet’s physical and emotional well-being. From advanced diagnostic tools to tailored treatment plans, we are here to help your pet recover and feel better.
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