What are the signs of pancreatitis in dogs?

Repeated vomiting; Abdominal pain — hunched back or 'praying' posture; Loss of appetite; Diarrhoea; Lethargy; Fever.

When should I contact a veterinarian?

Repeated vomiting with abdominal pain needs same-day veterinary care. Do not give human pain relief.

Digestive disease · Updated 2026-09-29

Inflammation of the pancreas, often triggered by a fatty meal, causing vomiting and severe abdominal pain.

Urgent veterinary attentionDogs

Often follows fatty food or scavenging; obesity, some medications and hormonal disease raise risk. Many cases have no clear trigger.

Examination, blood tests including a pancreas-specific lipase test, and abdominal ultrasound.

Supportive hospital care: fluids, pain relief, anti-sickness medication and early careful feeding of a low-fat diet.

Avoid fatty table scraps, keep dogs lean and secure bins. Dogs with past episodes often stay on a low-fat diet.

Mild cases recover well; severe cases can be life-threatening and some dogs have recurrent episodes.

What are the signs of pancreatitis in dogs?: Repeated vomiting; Abdominal pain — hunched back or 'praying' posture; Loss of appetite; Diarrhoea; Lethargy; Fever.
What causes pancreatitis in dogs?: Often follows fatty food or scavenging; obesity, some medications and hormonal disease raise risk. Many cases have no clear trigger.
How is pancreatitis in dogs diagnosed?: Examination, blood tests including a pancreas-specific lipase test, and abdominal ultrasound.
How is pancreatitis in dogs treated?: Supportive hospital care: fluids, pain relief, anti-sickness medication and early careful feeding of a low-fat diet.
Can pancreatitis in dogs be prevented?: Avoid fatty table scraps, keep dogs lean and secure bins. Dogs with past episodes often stay on a low-fat diet.
When should I contact a veterinarian?: Repeated vomiting with abdominal pain needs same-day veterinary care. Do not give human pain relief.