Pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas — is a painful and potentially life-threatening condition in dogs. Acute severe pancreatitis causes intense abdominal pain, vomiting, and systemic shock, while chronic pancreatitis causes recurring discomfort affecting quality of life.
Acute severe pancreatitis causes intense abdominal pain: affected dogs adopt a prayer position, vomit repeatedly, and are reluctant to move. Without adequate analgesia — including opioids for severe cases — pain is prolonged and severe. Post-hospitalisation dietary management requires permanent low-fat feeding to prevent recurrence, which is welfare-relevant for dogs that enjoy varied diets. Chronic pancreatitis causes persistent low-grade discomfort and nausea that reduces appetite and activity. Welfare assessment should include pain scoring during episodes and quality-of-life evaluation between episodes in dogs with chronic disease.