Pancreatitis
Also called Inflamed pancreas
Inflammation of the pancreas, the commonest disease of this gland in dogs and cats. It causes vomiting, belly pain and loss of appetite, but in cats the signs are often vague.
Cause and spread
- Cause
- Most cases have no clear cause. In dogs, eating rubbish or fatty scraps is a common trigger, and very high blood fats can contribute. In cats, trauma, surgery, some drugs and some infections are risk factors.
- How it spreads
- It is not infectious.
Signs to watch for
- Loss of appetite and vomiting
- Belly pain and a hunched posture
- Weakness and dehydration
- Diarrhoea in some dogs
- In cats: lethargy, weight loss, jaundice and low temperature, or no signs
Many diseases look alike. Only a laboratory test can tell them apart, so please see a veterinarian for any sick animal.
How it is diagnosed
No single test proves it. Blood counts and profiles are non-specific, and diagnosis combines the history, examination, ultrasound and a serum pancreatic lipase test. Lipase and amylase rise in other diseases too, so they are interpreted together with the animal's signs.
Prevention and control
- Avoid fatty table scraps and rubbish
- Keep body weight healthy
- Follow your veterinarian's diet advice, especially if blood fats are high
Where this information comes from
- Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats · Merck Veterinary Manual
General information for animal owners and veterinarians, last checked October 2026. It does not replace the advice of your veterinarian, who should decide which tests and treatment your animal needs.