Pancreatitis in Dogs: A Guide for Pet Owners

You may have heard of people getting pancreatitis, a condition that causes inflammation in the pancreas. But did you know that dogs can get pancreatitis, too? 

Pancreatitis in dogs can be painful and life-threatening if not treated quickly, so it’s important to know the symptoms. Read about common signs of pancreatitis in dogs and more below.

What is pancreatitis in dogs?

Pancreatitis is a common condition in dogs. It occurs when the pancreas — a small organ next to the stomach — becomes inflamed. Normally, the pancreas releases digestive enzymes to break down food. But pancreatitis causes those enzymes to be released too early. So instead of breaking down food, the enzymes attack the pancreas. This leads to serious symptoms in dogs.

Because pancreatitis can be life-threatening for dogs, you should know about the illness and its possible signs. If there’s reason to suspect your dog has pancreatitis, consult your veterinarian immediately.

What are the signs and symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs?

The most common symptoms of pancreatitis in dogs are:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Inactivity or moving slowly

• Stomach pain or bloating

• Diarrhea

• Decreased appetite

• Dehydration

• Hunched back

Some dogs also go into a “praying position” during a pancreatitis attack to try to ease the pain. They put their rear end up in the air while their front legs and head are lowered onto the floor.

Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic, and both types can be life-threatening. An acute attack comes on suddenly, while chronic pancreatitis develops over time. In both cases, dogs may not have symptoms at first. Though, most experience symptoms as the condition worsens.

If you suspect your dog may have pancreatitis, call your regular vet or an emergency vet clinic right away. A severe pancreatitis attack can cause shock, severe depression, and even death.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Did you know some pain medications are toxic to dogs? If your dog is in pain, here’s why you should skip the ibuprofen.

• Should I be worried my dog threw up? Like humans, dogs vomit sometimes. Here are some common causes, plus when it’s time to seek veterinary care.

• Poisonous foods: Did you know that all of these foods are poisonous for dogs?

What causes pancreatitis in dogs?

Research suggests that certain risk factors may be linked to dogs developing pancreatitis. These risk factors include:

• Taking certain medications, such as corticosteroids (a type of anti-inflammatory)

• Having a high-fat diet

• Consuming garbage

• Eating large amounts of table scraps

• Experiencing severe trauma

• Having surgery

• Being overweight

• Having hypothyroidism

• Having high blood levels of fats called triglycerides

• Having diabetes

• Having Cushing's disease

• Contracting an infectious disease such as babesiosis, a rare illness transmitted by tick bites

Pancreatitis is more common in middle-aged and older dogs. And female dogs who are overweight are at a greater risk for chronic pancreatitis.

Read more like this

Explore these related articles, suggested for readers like you.

Is Cat Food Bad for Dogs?

10 Reasons Your Cat May Not Be Eating

View more

Are certain dog breeds at higher risk for pancreatitis?

While any dog can develop the illness, certain breeds and types of dogs have been linked with a higher risk for pancreatitis. Because of this, researchers suspect that some breeds may have a genetic predisposition.

Experts have found higher rates of pancreatitis in:

• Miniature schnauzers

• Yorkshire terriers

• Cocker spaniels

• Dachshunds

• Poodles

• Alaskan malamutes

How is pancreatitis in dogs diagnosed?

Sometimes, a veterinarian will diagnose a dog with pancreatitis based solely on their symptoms and medical history. However, there’s a good chance your vet will use a combination of the following:

• A review of your dog’s health history

• Blood tests to check their pancreas function

• A physical examination that includes checking their stomach, gums, heart, and temperature

• An ultrasound, which can detect pancreatic inflammation

• An X-ray to rule out other conditions

Recently, the pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) test has become more popular for diagnosing pancreatitis in dogs. This test measures levels of lipase, one of the pancreatic digestive enzymes. Generally, this enzyme only shows up in small amounts. But lipase levels go way up in dogs with pancreatitis, making the PLI test the most specific test for pancreatitis.

While the PLI test is noninvasive and relatively inexpensive, it can be challenging to do it in time to diagnose a severely ill dog. The test requires technology that’s not widely available. However, the SNAP pancreatic lipase blood test, which is quick to perform and gives results in minutes, is available in most clinics.

How do you treat pancreatitis in dogs?

Successfully treating pancreatitis hinges on getting your dog immediate medical care. Home remedies should not be used in place of treatment from a veterinarian.

Your dog will likely need to stay in the hospital a few days for monitoring and treatment with IV fluids, nutrients, and medications. The goal is to allow the pancreas to rest and the body to heal and rehydrate. Rehydration restores circulation to the pancreas and helps the healing process. 

Your vet will also prescribe your dog pain medications to keep them comfortable. Depending on your dog’s symptoms, your vet may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication and/or a medication like Cerenia (maropitant citrate) to control vomiting.

As part of your dog’s treatment plan, they may be prescribed a specific diet, such as one that’s low-fat. This will help your dog’s recovery and help prevent future pancreatitis episodes.

If your dog has chronic pancreatitis, your vet may want to try long-term treatment with an immunosuppressive medication to manage their condition. Long-term management of both acute and chronic pancreatitis also involves:

• Carefully monitoring your dog’s fat intake

• Not feeding them any table scraps

• Giving them a special diet of low-fat or ultra-low-fat food

• Feeding them smaller, more frequent meals each day

• Taking them to the vet for regular blood tests to check pancreatic function

How serious is pancreatitis in dogs?

If pancreatitis is caught and treated early, there’s a much higher chance a dog can fully recover. And with careful monitoring, they can live a full life without permanent damage to their pancreas or other organs.

Dogs with severe cases of pancreatitis, however, are at greater risk for complications. Severe pancreatitis can cause permanent damage to the pancreas and lead to failure in a dog’s other organs.

Dogs who have chronic pancreatitis are more likely to face permanent damage to the pancreas. Over time, the pancreas loses its ability to make enzymes because of pancreatitis. When this happens, the pancreas can no longer help with digestion and control the amount of sugar in the bloodstream. As a result, dogs may develop secondary illnesses, such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) or diabetes.

Preventing pancreatitis in dogs

The best way to prevent pancreatitis is to feed your pup a healthy diet and watch their weight. Don’t give them food or treats that are high in fat. And consider using dog-safe vegetables like baby carrots as alternatives to treats.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Lauren Lee, BA, MA

Lauren Lee, BA, MA, is a writer specializing in animal care and pet health content. Since she was a young child, her passions have been writing and anything to do with animals.

Edited by:

Renée Fabian, MA

Renée Fabian is the senior pet health editor at GoodRx. She’s worked for nearly 10 years as a journalist and editor across a wide range of health and well-being topics.

Reviewed by:

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM

Ghanasyam Bey, DVM, is from Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Princeton University for undergraduate studies. After a year of biology research at Duke University, he attended Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine.

Our editorial standards

Meet our experts