To start, select
or
Urgent care is for pets who are unwell, in discomfort, are in urgent situation or are not acting like themselves and should be assessed within 24 hours.
Wellness, routine, or general care is for pets needing vaccines, preventive care, or ongoing monitoring who can safely wait at least 24 hours.
This page focuses on urgent assessment. Routine wellness exams, preventive care, and monitoring of stable conditions are provided through scheduled general wellness appointments.
Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats
Pancreatitis can range from subtle and self-limiting to life-threatening, especially when vomiting, dehydration, or systemic complications occur.
It may be acute or chronic, and the underlying cause often cannot be determined without diagnostic testing.
Definition
Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, affecting its ability to support digestion and glucose regulation. It is a clinical presentation, not a diagnosis.
In dogs, pancreatitis may result in vomiting, abdominal pain, or collapse. In cats, signs are often vague and can include anorexia, lethargy, or mild nausea. Pancreatitis can affect other organ systems and, in severe cases, result in life-threatening complications like kidney injury or diabetes.
This is a common condition in dogs and cats that may look mild but worsen quickly if untreated.
Who This Page Is For
• Dog or cat vomiting multiple times or refusing food
• Pet suddenly lethargic or acting unwell without an obvious reason
• Cat with sudden anorexia or hiding behavior
• Dog with a history of pancreatitis, vomiting, or high-fat foods
• Pet with pain near the upper abdomen or prayer posture
• Recent trauma, toxin exposure, or new medication
Who This Page Is Not For
• Pet with stable appetite and energy, mild nausea that resolved, and no vomiting or pain
If you are unsure whether this is significant, that uncertainty itself warrants veterinary assessment.
Related Urgent Symptoms
• Vomiting and Nausea
• Abdominal Pain
• Inappetence
• Lethargy
• Collapse or Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Dehydration
• Abnormal Bloodwork
What This Can Look Like at Home
• Vomiting or dry heaving
• Refusal to eat or eat normally
• Lethargy or hiding behavior
• Bloated, tense, or painful abdomen
• Sudden weight loss
• Diarrhea or loose stool
• Cat staring at wall or reluctant to move
• Dog in prayer pose or pacing restlessly
Why This Can Be Hard to Judge
Pancreatitis is notoriously subtle in cats and misleading in dogs. Appetite may come and go. Vomiting may be mild. Dogs may look better after fluids but decline again quickly. Cats often do not vomit at all. Pain signs are easy to miss. Clinical signs do not always match severity.
The Improvement Trap
Temporary improvement does not equal resolution.
A dog may eat after vomiting and seem fine, only to decompensate hours later. A cat may rally with appetite but still have ongoing inflammation. This condition can fluctuate.
What Is Easy to Miss at Home
• Mild or intermittent anorexia
• Subtle lethargy or hiding
• Prayer posture or abdominal tension
• Low-grade vomiting not seen as abnormal
• Small but steady weight loss
• Signs of dehydration
• Loose stool or diarrhea instead of vomiting
Even subtle changes can signal serious internal inflammation that benefits from timely testing.
When This Can Be an Emergency
Signs that may indicate a severe or progressing case:
• Multiple episodes of vomiting
• Not eating for more than 24 hours
• Severe lethargy or collapse
• Marked abdominal pain or bloating
• Yellowing of skin, eyes, or gums (jaundice)
• Weakness or wobbling
• Blood in vomit or stool
• Labored breathing or panting
• Signs worsening despite rest or at-home care
How Veterinarians Assess This
Clinical signs alone cannot reliably determine severity.
Symptoms can appear similar while representing very different internal disease processes. Diagnostic testing is how veterinarians determine whether a condition is mild and self-limiting or serious and potentially life-threatening, and how they guide appropriate care.
Diagnostic testing may include:
• Pancreatic lipase assay – checks for pancreatic inflammation
• Abdominal ultrasound – visualizes pancreas and adjacent organs
• CBC – identifies infection, inflammation, anemia
• Serum chemistry panel – checks liver, kidney, glucose, electrolytes
• Urinalysis – screens for dehydration or kidney strain
• Radiographs – rules out foreign body or GI obstruction
• Electrolyte panel – evaluates for imbalances from vomiting or anorexia
Additional disease-specific testing (such as feline toxoplasma screening, triglyceride levels, or CT imaging) may be considered based on the overall clinical picture.
Veterinary Differentials - Serious / Must-Rule-Out First
Diabetic ketoacidosis may cause vomiting, dehydration, lethargy, or collapse, especially in pets with known or undiagnosed diabetes. Tests may include blood glucose, urinalysis, ketone levels, blood gas, and pancreatic lipase.
Gastrointestinal obstruction can mimic pancreatitis and worsen rapidly if caused by a foreign body or intestinal blockage. Tests may include abdominal radiographs, abdominal ultrasound, and full bloodwork.
Hepatic lipidosis (in cats) can present as severe anorexia and vomiting, particularly in overweight or fasting cats. Tests may include serum chemistry panel, abdominal ultrasound, and bilirubin levels.
Acute kidney injury may appear similar and can occur alongside or because of pancreatitis in both dogs and cats. Tests may include CBC, serum chemistry, SDMA, and urinalysis.
Extrahepatic bile duct obstruction can be a complication of pancreatic swelling, leading to jaundice and systemic illness. Tests may include liver panel, abdominal ultrasound, and bilirubin monitoring.
Veterinary Differentials - Common / More Typical
Dietary indiscretion (e.g., high-fat treats, garbage) may cause vomiting or mild pancreatic inflammation, particularly in dogs. Tests may include CBC, serum chemistry, and pancreatic lipase testing.
Viral illness in cats (such as calicivirus or herpesvirus) can cause vague signs like inappetence and mild vomiting. Tests may include viral PCR panels, bloodwork, and abdominal imaging.
Gastritis or gastroenteritis may result in vomiting, nausea, or inappetence from temporary stomach upset. Tests may include CBC, serum chemistry, and a GI diagnostic panel.
Inflammatory bowel disease often overlaps with pancreatitis and may present as chronic vomiting, diarrhea, or weight loss. Tests may include GI panel, abdominal ultrasound, and pancreatic lipase testing.
Toxin exposure (e.g., medications, plants, or household substances) can trigger vomiting and mimic systemic inflammation. Tests may include blood chemistry, pancreatic lipase, and toxin screening when appropriate.
Safety, Psychology, & Peace of Mind
Waiting too long can allow internal inflammation to escalate into organ damage.
Many cases of pancreatitis begin with subtle signs that seem harmless or improve briefly. But without diagnostics, it’s impossible to know if the pancreas is undergoing progressive damage or systemic strain.
Same-day assessment can relieve pain, protect organs, and reduce the need for hospitalization.
Pancreatitis in dogs and cats often coexists with other conditions, so early intervention helps avoid missed complications and provides peace of mind through clarity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pancreatitis in dogs and cats an emergency?
Pancreatitis can become life-threatening if it progresses without treatment, especially in pets who stop eating, vomit repeatedly, or develop systemic symptoms.
Same-day urgent care is recommended for any pet with vomiting, anorexia, or unexplained lethargy.
Even mild symptoms can worsen rapidly due to hidden inflammation or organ involvement.
Early assessment helps prevent complications and guides appropriate treatment.
What if my pet seems mostly normal but isn’t eating well?
Pets with pancreatitis may act normal between episodes or show only subtle changes like reduced appetite or hiding.
A normal appearance does not rule out serious internal inflammation.
Cats in particular may show vague signs while disease progresses.
Veterinary testing is the only way to assess risk and catch disease early.
My pet vomited but seems better—can it still be pancreatitis?
Yes. Both dogs and cats may seem to “bounce back” before deteriorating again.
Temporary improvement does not mean the condition has resolved.
In pancreatitis, signs often fluctuate, and repeated episodes may signal escalating inflammation.
If your pet has had a recent episode, it’s still important to get checked.
Why are blood tests and imaging needed if the signs seem mild?
Clinical signs of pancreatitis don’t always reflect how sick the pet truly is.
Diagnostic tests are how we determine whether a case is mild, moderate, or severe—and guide care accordingly.
Even mild-appearing cases can hide organ strain, secondary conditions, or underlying causes.
Testing helps identify what’s happening internally and rules out other serious conditions.
If your dog or cat has vomited, stopped eating, or seems unwell, same-day assessment is strongly advised.
Prompt veterinary care reduces complications and provides clarity on what’s really going on.
Don’t wait for more symptoms—pancreatitis can escalate quickly.
Urgent care allows for pain control, hydration, and diagnostics to safely guide next steps.
What should I do right now if I suspect pancreatitis?