Outpatient Management of Canine Pancreatitis
Canine pancreatitis is one of the most common gastrointestinal emergencies encountered in small animal practice, yet not all patients require hospitalization. This session will provide a practical, evidence-based approach to identifying which pancreatitis cases can be safely managed on an outpatient basis and how to optimize treatment success in general practice. Attendees will review patient selection criteria, risk stratification, diagnostic considerations, and common clinical pitfalls. Emphasis will be placed on multimodal outpatient treatment strategies, including antiemetics, analgesia, nutritional management, hydration support, and client communication. The session will also discuss when escalation of care or referral is warranted and how to monitor response to therapy. Participants will leave with practical tools to confidently manage appropriate pancreatitis cases as outpatients while improving patient comfort, client satisfaction, and clinical outcomes.
- Identify which canine pancreatitis patients are appropriate candidates for outpatient management versus hospitalization or referral.
- Develop practical treatment plans using evidence-based approaches to analgesia, antiemetics, nutritional support, hydration, and monitoring.
- Recognize clinical red flags, common complications, and indicators for escalation of care in dogs with pancreatitis.
- Improve client communication strategies to enhance compliance, set realistic expectations, and support successful home management.
