Feline Pancreatitis 2025: Improved Diagnosis and Welfare Management

Pancreatitis is increasingly recognised in cats following improved diagnostic tools. Welfare-centred management focuses on pain control, nutritional support, and treatment of concurrent conditions.

Key Facts

Feline pancreatitis is more common than previously recognised — up to 67% of cats have histological evidence at post-mortem
Cats show non-specific signs including lethargy and inappetence rather than the vomiting and abdominal pain typical in dogs
The fPLI (feline Pancreatic Lipase Immunoreactivity) test is now the most sensitive diagnostic tool available
Triaditis — concurrent pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and cholangiohepatitis — occurs in up to 50% of cases

Welfare Considerations

Feline pancreatitis causes genuine suffering from abdominal pain that cats stoically mask. Adequate analgesia is the cornerstone of welfare-positive management — buprenorphine provides effective pain relief with good tolerability in cats. Nutritional support through early enteral or parenteral nutrition prevents hepatic lipidosis secondary to inappetence. Investigation and management of concurrent triaditis components (IBD, cholangiohepatitis) is essential for complete welfare restoration. Chronic pancreatitis may contribute to ongoing discomfort requiring long-term management strategies.

What You Can Do

Monitor cats for subtle signs of pancreatitis including lethargy and reduced appetite — do not wait for vomiting
Request fPLI testing for any cat with unexplained inappetence or lethargy of more than 24 hours duration
Ensure pain management is provided as a priority in hospitalised pancreatitis cats
Investigate for triaditis with biopsies of liver, intestine, and pancreas in cats with chronic recurrent disease