Pancreatitis in Dogs: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Pancreatitis is one of the most painful and misunderstood conditions affecting dogs — and one of the most common reasons pets end up hospitalized. Dr. Marty Greer, who has personally survived four bouts of pancreatitis, joins Laura Reeves to walk pet owners through everything they need to know, from early warning signs to long-term management.

1. What the pancreas actually does — and why problems with it affect everything from digestion to blood sugar
2. Acute pancreatitis — warning signs to watch for (vomiting, severe abdominal pain, loss of appetite, dehydration) and why up to 30% of severe cases can be fatal
3. How it’s diagnosed — CBC, chemistry panel, and the more accurate cPLI test (80–90% accurate), plus why x-rays won’t help but ultrasound can
4. Treatment — why this is a hospitalization situation: IV fluids, nothing by mouth for 72+ hours, pain management, anti-nausea medication, and supportive care
5. Breeds at higher risk — miniature schnauzers, dachshunds, miniature poodles, Cavaliers, Cocker Spaniels, and others
6. Chronic pancreatitis and diabetes — how repeated flare-ups can scar the pancreas and eventually lead to Type 1-equivalent diabetes requiring twice-daily insulin injections
7. Insulinoma — the rare pancreatic tumor that causes blood sugar to crash and can trigger seizures, and what treatment looks like
8. Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) — most common in young German Shepherds, the TLI blood test to ask for, and how it’s managed with pancreatic enzyme supplements

Key takeaway: High-fat meals are a well-known trigger, but pancreatitis can strike without an obvious cause — especially in middle-aged, overweight females of susceptible breeds. If your dog is vomiting and seems painful, don’t wait. This is not a condition that resolves on its own.