Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, the organ producing digestive enzymes and hormones such as insulin, and it can be acute or chronic, with severity ranging from mild to severe and potentially fatal. Possible signs include vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy and loss of appetite, and diagnosis rests on veterinary examination, laboratory tests and imaging (WSAVA; veterinary literature). Nutrition is a key part of management, and the dog and cat differ: in dogs, a very fatty meal can trigger or worsen an attack, so a low-fat diet is often recommended during and after the episode, whereas in cats the role of fat is less clear and pancreatitis frequently occurs alongside other digestive conditions. A notable shift in thinking: the old idea of prolonged fasting is no longer the rule, and early, suitable refeeding is now preferred in many cases under veterinary supervision. Managing excess weight and avoiding occasional fatty meals such as table scraps help prevention in predisposed dogs, which connects pancreatitis to [obesity](/glossary/obesity) and to fat-rich extras such as [coconut oil](/glossary/coconut-oil). The marker: pancreatitis is a potential emergency, so any suspicion warrants prompt veterinary advice rather than home dietary management alone, and prevention leans on weight control and avoiding fatty treats, as the [Petipedia glossary](/glossary) stresses.

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General documentary information. For an individual animal, a veterinarian's advice takes precedence over any online content.