Companion Animals

Feline Pancreatitis: Welfare and Management

Pancreatitis in cats causes significant abdominal pain and nausea with welfare impacts that can be difficult to recognise due to cats' tendency to conceal pain.

Key Facts

Feline pancreatitis is more common than historically recognised due to improved diagnostic techniques
Clinical signs are often vague including lethargy, reduced appetite and occasional vomiting
Unlike dogs, dietary indiscretion is not a recognised trigger; causes often remain unknown
Concurrent inflammatory bowel disease and cholangiohepatitis form triaditis syndrome in cats

Welfare Considerations

Pancreatitis causes abdominal pain, nausea and reduced appetite that may persist for weeks without adequate treatment. Cats with chronic pancreatitis may have recurring welfare impacts from intermittent flares. Welfare priorities include providing effective analgesia (buprenorphine is commonly used), anti-nausea medication, nutritional support via assisted feeding if needed, and managing concurrent conditions.

What You Can Do

Seek veterinary assessment for any cat showing persistent lethargy or reduced food intake
Request serum fPLI testing to confirm pancreatitis in cats with non-specific clinical signs
Ensure effective pain management is part of the treatment plan for confirmed pancreatitis
Monitor for concurrent inflammatory bowel disease and liver disease in cats with chronic pancreatitis