FrançaisThe pancreas tests on a report
| Test | What it is | Main limits |
|---|---|---|
| Amylase (AMYL) | Enzyme activity from the pancreas and other tissues. | Rises with poor kidney function; rarely raised in cats with pancreatitis [1]. |
| Lipase (LIPA, DGGR lipase) | Enzyme activity, not specific to the pancreas. | Rises with kidney disease, gut disease and Cushing’s syndrome [2]. |
| Spec cPL (dogs) / Spec fPL (cats) | Measures the pancreas’ own lipase by immunoassay. | The most accurate blood test, but still gives false positives and negatives [2]. |
Routine amylase and lipase activity have largely been replaced by pancreatic lipase immunoassays for the diagnosis of pancreatitis [3].
How to read the Spec cPL line
Here is an example result in a vomiting dog.
- Abbreviation Spec cPL in dogs, Spec fPL in cats. Some clinics run a quick “SNAP” test first.
- Result 612 µg/L in this illustrative line.
- Unit µg/L.
- Laboratory interval Below 200 µg/L is not compatible with pancreatitis; 200–400 is equivocal and usually retested [2].
- Flag Above 400 µg/L is compatible with pancreatitis. It is read with the dog’s signs and imaging [2, 4].
Pancreas-specific lipase cut-offs
| Result | Dogs (Spec cPL) | Cats (Spec fPL) |
|---|---|---|
| Not compatible with pancreatitis | below 200 µg/L | below 3.6 µg/L |
| Equivocal (retest) | 200–400 µg/L | 3.6–5.4 µg/L |
| Compatible with pancreatitis | above 400 µg/L | above 5.4 µg/L |
Why lipase or amylase can be high without pancreatitis
- Kidney function. Reduced filtration can raise amylase up to 2–3 times and lipase up to 4 times, so mild increases are hard to read in a pet with high kidney values [1, 2].
- Gut disease can raise both moderately [1, 2].
- Cushing’s syndrome and corticosteroids in dogs: lipase values up to 874 U/L were reported in dogs with Cushing’s [2].
- Meals do not change lipase for up to 8 hours in dogs [2].
For amylase to suggest pancreatitis, it should be at least twice the upper limit; values of 7–10 times are common in dogs with pancreatitis [1].
What vets look at alongside the result
Pancreatitis is diagnosed by combining signs (vomiting, belly pain, loss of appetite), the blood tests and imaging, most often an ultrasound [4, 5]. In cats, the signs are often vague: lethargy and poor appetite rather than vomiting [5]. Other results commonly seen include a high white cell count, high kidney values, high blood fats and sometimes a low calcium [3].
Results often read with the pancreas values
For cats, see pancreatitis in cats.
En français : lipase et amylase du chien et du chat.
Questions to ask your veterinarian
- Was the lipase on the panel a routine lipase or a pancreas-specific test (cPL or fPL)?
- Do my pet’s kidney values affect how we read the result?
- Is an abdominal ultrasound needed?
- If the result is equivocal, when should we retest?
- What diet and follow-up do you recommend after pancreatitis?
Get your pet’s pancreas and chemistry values explained together.
AI DiagAnimals reads lipase, amylase, cPL or fPL with the kidney values, blood fats and your laboratory’s intervals, and prepares the questions for your vet. The service opens soon: leave your email to be told first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of elevated lipase in dogs?
Pancreatitis is the main concern, but reduced kidney function, gut disease and Cushing’s syndrome or corticosteroids also raise routine lipase. A pancreas-specific test helps sort them out [2].
What is a normal Spec cPL in a dog?
Below 200 µg/L is not compatible with pancreatitis; 200–400 µg/L is equivocal; above 400 µg/L is compatible with pancreatitis [2].
Is amylase useful in cats?
Not for pancreatitis: amylase rarely rises in cats with pancreatitis. Spec fPL and ultrasound are used instead [1, 5].
Can a dog die from pancreatitis?
Severe pancreatitis can be life-threatening, which is why vomiting with belly pain needs prompt care. Many dogs recover with supportive treatment.
What foods trigger pancreatitis in dogs?
A fatty meal or scavenged food is a classic trigger [3]. Ask your vet about a suitable diet if your dog has had pancreatitis.
Sources
- eClinPath, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Amylase. eclinpath.com/chemistry/pancreas/amylase
- eClinPath, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Lipase. eclinpath.com/chemistry/pancreas/lipase
- eClinPath, Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Pancreas. eclinpath.com/chemistry/pancreas
- Cridge H et al. Advances in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis in dogs. J Vet Intern Med. 2021;35(6):2572-2587. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16292
- Forman MA et al. ACVIM consensus statement on pancreatitis in cats. J Vet Intern Med. 2021;35(2):703-723. doi.org/10.1111/jvim.16053
Laboratory methods and reference intervals vary. This article explains; it does not diagnose. For a decision about your pet, use the original report and talk to your veterinarian. Our editorial policy.