Pancreatitis in cats is often subtle and difficult to diagnose, yet causes significant pain. Evidence-based management improves welfare outcomes for affected cats.
Feline pancreatitis presents differently from the classic canine presentation. Rather than vomiting and acute abdominal pain, affected cats often show subtle signs: reduced appetite, lethargy, mild vomiting, and weight loss. Many owners and even vets may initially attribute these signs to other causes, delaying welfare-improving treatment.
Pain assessment in cats with pancreatitis requires careful observation. Hunched posture, reluctance to be touched on the abdomen, hiding, and reduced grooming are all indicators of discomfort. The grimace scale and other validated feline pain assessment tools help quantify suffering and guide analgesia decisions.
Management centers on aggressive fluid support, anti-nausea medication, and analgesia. Nutritional support is particularly important — cats with pancreatitis often stop eating, which risks hepatic lipidosis. Early enteral nutrition via nasogastric or esophagostomy tube maintains gut health and speeds recovery. Most cats benefit from individualized, palatable food trials to identify tolerated diets for long-term management.