Miniature Schnauzers and Pancreatitis: What 2,910 UK Owners Reported
Owners reported pancreatitis in 7.6% of UK Miniature Schnauzers, more than vet-record studies found. Why the figures differ, and the link with diabetes.
Written by thecanineledger
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If your dog is vomiting repeatedly, seems to have a painful belly, or won’t eat and is lethargic, call a vet the same day.
Our note: This advice is ours. If your dog is in severe pain or keeps vomiting, call your vet now.
Owners of Miniature Schnauzers in a 2023 UK survey reported pancreatitis in 7.6% of their dogs. “This study identifies a high owner-reported prevalence of pancreatitis in UK Miniature Schnauzers, differing from previous veterinary epidemiological studies” (Johnson-Pitt et al., Companion Animal Health and Genetics 2026). Pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas.
While that suggests the disease may be under-recorded, the authors are clear about the limits. Owners reported the diagnoses, and no vet checked them.
1. The study
Who. UK owners of Miniature Schnauzers answered an online survey in May 2023. It was shared through breed clubs, social media and newsletters. Of 4,786 responses, 2,910 had enough data to analyse.
What. Owners answered yes-or-no questions about seven diseases and could describe other problems in their own words.
Funding. One author’s PhD is funded jointly by an animal welfare charity and a veterinary drug company. The authors declare no competing interests.
2. What owners reported
| Condition | Share of dogs |
|---|---|
| Pancreatitis | 7.6% |
| Heart murmur | 6.6% |
| Kidney or bladder stones | 1.9% |
| Diabetes | 1.1% |
| High blood fats (hyperlipidaemia) | 1.0% |
Young dogs too. Of owners who gave an age at diagnosis, 17.2% said pancreatitis was diagnosed between 1 and 2 years old. The authors call this unexpected. It suggests the disease wasn’t caused by another illness in those dogs.
The most common problems overall were skin, lumps and allergies, as in earlier vet-record studies.
3. Why the figures differ from vet records
An earlier UK study of Miniature Schnauzer vet records didn’t list pancreatitis among the common disorders. The authors suggest some dogs recorded there with vomiting may have had pancreatitis.
They also caution that the survey figure “must be interpreted with caution, given the challenges and complexity of diagnosing pancreatitis and the lack of clinical evidence available to verify owner reports.”
Who answered. Owners whose dog had been ill may have been more likely to take part.
Our note: “Owners whose dog had been ill may have been more likely to take part” is our inference about survey bias.
4. Pancreatitis and diabetes
Dogs reported to have diabetes had 4.54 times the odds of also having pancreatitis reported. Where owners gave both ages, 7 of 12 reported the same age of diagnosis for both. The paper is inconsistent about the order in the rest.
Diabetes was reported in 1.1% of the dogs. The authors compare that with 0.26% to 0.38% in dogs generally, from other studies.
Low-fat diets. Dogs with pancreatitis were more likely to be on a low-fat diet. The authors think that is because vets often recommend the diet after a diagnosis.
→ Pancreatitis and the Low-Fat Diet Question · → Diabetes in Dogs: Insulin, Home Monitoring, and Glucose Sensors
5. High blood fats
The breed is known for high blood fats. A US study the authors cite found raised triglycerides in over 75% of Miniature Schnauzers over 9. In this survey, owners reported high blood fats in only 3.3% of dogs over 9.
The authors suggest this may reflect a lack of testing, or differences between UK and US dogs.
Our note: Asking about blood fat testing at senior checks is our suggestion, not the study’s.
6. If you have, or want, a Miniature Schnauzer
- Know the signs of pancreatitis and don’t wait on repeated vomiting.
- Ask your vet what was diagnosed, and how sure they are.
- Ask about blood fat testing at senior checks.
- If your dog has pancreatitis, ask whether to watch for signs of diabetes, such as drinking and urinating more.
Our note: These points are ours.
→ Choosing a Breed or a Mix: The Health Data Breeders Don’t Lead With · → Senior Bloodwork and Screening: What It Finds, and What It Can’t Promise
7. What we could not verify
| Commonly said | What we found |
|---|---|
| “Miniature Schnauzers often get pancreatitis” | Owners reported it in 7.6%. Vets didn’t confirm the diagnoses. |
| “Pancreatitis only affects older dogs” | Not in this survey. Some owners reported it at 1 to 2 years old. |
| “A low-fat diet causes pancreatitis” | Not shown. The authors think the diet followed the diagnosis. |
Sources
- Johnson-Pitt A, Mellersh CS, et al. Prevalence of pancreatitis in UK Miniature Schnauzers: Insights from an owner survey-based study. Companion Anim Health Genet 2026: owner survey, 2,910 dogs, 2023. One author’s PhD part-funded by a veterinary drug company
Always confirm with your vet before acting on anything on this page.