Pancreatitis in cats is a painful and often underdiagnosed condition. Recognition of subtle clinical signs and appropriate management significantly improves welfare outcomes for affected cats.
The welfare burden of feline pancreatitis is amplified by its diagnostic difficulty. Cats in significant pain from pancreatitis may present only as "off food" and quiet — stoic behaviour that leads to delayed diagnosis and prolonged suffering. Pain management is a welfare priority: cats with pancreatitis experience genuine abdominal pain that should be treated with appropriate analgesics. Nutritional support — including assisted feeding if necessary — prevents the dangerous hepatic lipidosis that can develop rapidly in anorexic cats. The frequent concurrent occurrence of IBD and cholangitis means treatment plans must address multiple organ systems simultaneously, requiring careful veterinary management and owner commitment.