Pancreatitis in cats is often under-diagnosed and can cause significant pain and distress. Understanding the signs and management options is essential for cat welfare.
Pancreatitis causes genuine pain and systemic illness in cats. Because cats are stoic and mask signs of discomfort, many cases go unrecognised until advanced. Pain management is a central welfare concern — untreated abdominal pain causes significant suffering. Early diagnosis and aggressive supportive care, including adequate analgesia, dramatically improve welfare outcomes. Cats with chronic pancreatitis need ongoing monitoring and dietary management to maintain quality of life.