Pancreatitis in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 2 sources

Based on: PDSA, Science for Animal Welfare (UFAW), Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals

Contact a vet today

Contact your vet today if you think your dog has this – it can become serious. Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, an organ close to the stomach that helps digest food.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet today.
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
Keep fresh water available.
Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

Do not give any human medicine.
Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which sits close to the stomach and helps digest food.^[1] Pancreatitis can range from mild to very severe.^[1] Symptoms of pancreatitis often start suddenly.^[1]

Signs

Vomiting
Eating less or not eating at all
Painful tummy
Diarrhoea
Weight loss

sudden

Causes and risk factors

Being overweight
Being unwell
Recently having surgery
Recently eating high-fat foods such as pork, cheese or butter

How a vet finds out

Physical examination
Blood tests
Ultrasound
Biopsy

How vets treat it

Fluids or a drip
Hospitalisation
Diet change
Medication
Pain relief
Anti-sickness medication
Rest

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“After a full examination, your vet might want to run some tests to check for pancreatitis. Tests may include blood tests, X-rays and an ultrasound scan. Treatment depends on how severe the pancreatitis is. Anti-sickness medicine. Strong pain relief. Rest.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What is pancreatitis?

It is inflammation of the pancreas, which sits close to the stomach and helps digest food.^[1]

Can pancreatitis be serious?

It can range from mild to very severe.^[1]

How might a vet check and treat pancreatitis?

After a full examination, a vet might use blood tests, X-rays and an ultrasound scan; treatment depends on how severe it is and may include anti-sickness medicine, strong pain relief and rest.^[1]

Sources

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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