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Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis in dogs and cats: same-day diagnosis and care.

Pancreatitis is painful inflammation of the pancreas that can cause vomiting, belly pain, and loss of appetite, and it ranges from mild to life-threatening. In dogs it often follows a fatty meal. We see dogs and cats with signs of pancreatitis same day, seven days a week.

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Call Us Right Away If

Signs of pancreatitis that need a vet today.

Pancreatitis can look like an ordinary upset stomach at first. Call us right away if your pet has:

  • ✓Repeated vomiting, especially after eating something fatty or getting into the trash
  • ✓A hunched back or a "prayer position," with the front end down and rear end up
  • ✓A tender, painful belly or restlessness
  • ✓No interest in food, or diarrhea along with vomiting
  • ✓Weakness, dehydration, or collapse
  • ✓In cats: not eating, hiding, or unusual quietness for more than a day

Flares are common after holidays, barbecues, and family gatherings, when dogs get rich scraps. If it is after 7:30 PM and your pet is vomiting repeatedly or in obvious pain, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency hospital. Otherwise, call us when we open at 7:30 AM. For more on urgent visits, see our emergency and urgent care page.

Common Causes

What causes pancreatitis?

The pancreas makes digestive enzymes. When it becomes inflamed, those enzymes can irritate the pancreas and nearby organs, causing pain and nausea.

In dogs, common triggers and risk factors include:

  • ✓High-fat foods such as bacon, sausage, ham, fatty meat trimmings, gravy, or butter
  • ✓Raiding the trash
  • ✓Being overweight
  • ✓Certain breeds, including Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkshire Terriers, and Cocker Spaniels
  • ✓Hormonal conditions such as diabetes or Cushing's disease
  • ✓Some medications, though often no single cause is found

In cats, pancreatitis is usually subtle. Many cats simply stop eating, hide, lose weight, or seem tired, and only some vomit. Feline pancreatitis often appears alongside inflammatory bowel disease or liver disease. A cat that isn't eating should be seen promptly, since going without food can lead to other serious problems.

Because vomiting has so many causes, our guide to vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats can help you sort out what you are seeing.

At Your Visit

Diagnosis and treatment at your visit.

No single test confirms pancreatitis every time, so we combine your pet's history and exam with lab work and imaging.

  • ✓Bloodwork to check hydration, organ function, and electrolytes, with many results in under an hour
  • ✓A pancreatic lipase test, a blood test that helps show whether the pancreas is inflamed
  • ✓Abdominal ultrasound to look at the pancreas and rule out other problems, read by a board-certified veterinary radiologist
  • ✓X-rays to rule out a swallowed object or blockage

Dog pancreatitis treatment focuses on supportive care while the pancreas heals: fluids to correct dehydration, anti-nausea medication, pain control, and nutrition. Getting the right food into the gut early supports recovery. Mild cases can often be managed as outpatients with a low-fat diet. Moderate to severe cases usually need IV fluids, injectable medication, and close monitoring through pet hospitalization.

After recovery, many dogs do best on a long-term low-fat diet, and we will talk about how to avoid future flares. Families visit us from across the Valley, Santa Clarita, Palmdale, Lancaster, and Ventura, and pet parents in the Santa Clarita area can find directions on our Santa Clarita vet page.

Common Questions

Pancreatitis FAQ.

What are the first signs of pancreatitis in dogs?
The first signs are usually vomiting, loss of appetite, and belly pain, often within a day or two of eating something fatty. Some dogs stand in a hunched or prayer position, have diarrhea, or seem restless. Call us for a same-day visit if you notice these signs.
How is dog pancreatitis treated?
Treatment is supportive and usually includes fluids, anti-nausea medication, pain control, and a carefully chosen diet. Mild cases may be treated as outpatients, while moderate to severe cases often need hospital care with IV fluids and monitoring. Most dogs then benefit from a low-fat diet.
What does pancreatitis look like in cats?
Cat pancreatitis is often subtle. A cat may stop eating, hide, lose weight, or seem lethargic, and vomiting is not always present. Any cat that has not eaten for more than a day should be seen by a vet.
Can one fatty meal cause pancreatitis?
Yes, in some dogs a single high-fat meal, such as bacon, ham, or holiday leftovers, can trigger pancreatitis. Dogs that have had pancreatitis before are at higher risk of another flare. Keeping rich people food away from your dog is the simplest prevention.
How long does it take a dog to recover from pancreatitis?
Mild cases often improve within a few days with treatment, while severe cases can take longer and may need a hospital stay. Recovery depends on how inflamed the pancreas is and whether there are complications. Our team will guide you through each stage.

Think your pet has pancreatitis?

Call us or book a same-day visit, we are open every day from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.

Book a visit(818) 922-2209