does chronic pancreatitis in dogs mean that the pancreas is always inflamed?

and does it mean that the dog is constantly in pain?or does the inflammation only happen when there are acute attacks?

Pancreatitis can be acute and only occur once in a dog's lifetime or it can become chronic and keep returning over and over again. It can be a rapidly fatal illness or a mild attack of pain that resolves in a few hours or a day or so. It can cause tremendous side effects, including shock, blood clotting disorders, heart arrythmias, liver or kidney damage and death. Here are some informative sites:http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dpancrea.html#Pancreatitis%20-%20Chronichttp://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2214http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_canine_pancreatitis.html

Chronic means it happens again and again. It is usually eventually fatal.

No it does not mean it is always inflamed. Chronic means it can and most likely will happen again. When it flares up again then the pancreas is inflamed and is painful. A vet should see your dog immediately when this happens. Otherwise your dog is not in any pain.