Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas. Severe cases bring vomiting, loss of appetite, a painful belly, weakness and dehydration; milder ones look like an upset stomach that keeps returning¹. Eating scraps, rubbish or a fatty meal is a common trigger, and high blood fats, Cushing's disease and being overweight raise the risk¹². The Miniature Schnauzer is dramatically over-represented and appears to carry a genetic predisposition; the Miniature Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, other terriers, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels and Alaskan Malamutes are also reported at risk¹². In Miniature Schnauzers, high triglycerides were much more common in dogs with a history of pancreatitis than in those without³.

A dog that vomits repeatedly, will not eat and stands hunched needs to be seen the same day. Diagnosis uses a blood test for pancreatic lipase and often an ultrasound. Treatment is fluids, pain relief, anti-nausea drugs and early feeding of a low-fat diet¹.

Afterwards, a low-fat diet for life, no table food, and weight control are the main protections against another episode².

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet knows your dog.

Sources

1. Pancreatitis in Dogs and Cats. Merck Veterinary Manual. Accessed 2026-09-22.
2. New insights into the etiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of pancreatitis in dogs: Potential impacts on clinical practice (Cridge H et al.). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 36(3):847-864, 2022 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.
3. Serum triglyceride concentrations in Miniature Schnauzers with and without a history of probable pancreatitis (Xenoulis PG et al.). Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 25(1):20-25, 2011 (peer reviewed). Accessed 2026-09-22.