What it is
The pancreas makes powerful enzymes for digesting food and keeps them switched off until they reach the gut. In pancreatitis they switch on too early, inside the pancreas itself, and start to digest the organ and the tissue around it. The result is swelling, pain in the belly and, in severe cases, inflammation that spreads through the body.
It can strike any dog: sometimes after a raid on the bin or a rich, fatty mouthful, sometimes alongside other illnesses, and sometimes with no clear trigger at all. It is linked to middle and older age and to extra weight.
A dog in the middle of an attack is miserable: hunched, restless, unable to settle, unwilling to be picked up around the middle. After a bout they need quiet and rest. It can come back, so it helps to know your own dog's early signs, such as a hunched back or a sudden loss of appetite.
Signs you may notice
- Repeated vomiting
- Refusing food
- Hunched or praying posture
- Painful, tense belly
- Diarrhoea or loose stools
- Restless, unable to settle
The dog may vomit, refuse food, have diarrhoea or seem listless, and belly pain sometimes makes them stand in a 'praying' position, front end down and rear end up. If the vomiting won't stop or the dog is clearly suffering, see a vet without delay.
When to see a vet
If the vomiting won't stop, the belly is painful, or the dog is clearly suffering or collapses, a vet is needed immediately. Milder tummy upsets that keep coming back are worth a planned visit.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.