NAVLE 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

In the case of a cat diagnosed with hepatic lipidosis, the most critical treatment involves ensuring adequate nutritional support to reverse the disease and promote recovery. Hepatic lipidosis often arises when a cat undergoes prolonged periods of anorexia, leading to fat accumulation in the liver and subsequently impairing its function.

Esophagostomy tube feeding is particularly vital in this instance because it provides a method for delivering nutrition directly to the cat, even when it may not be willing or able to eat on its own due to illness. This approach helps prevent further liver deterioration and assists in replenishing the cat's energy and nutrient stores. By ensuring that the cat receives a balanced, high-calorie diet, the body is encouraged to mobilize fat stores responsibly and begins to restore proper liver function.

In contrast, while other treatments such as the administration of antibiotics, liver support supplements, or vitamin K injections may have their roles in managing specific complications or supportive care, they do not address the underlying issue of nutritional deficiency as effectively as esophagostomy tube feeding does. Hence, nutritional support is paramount in the overall management of hepatic lipidosis in cats.