Which test is considered the most specific for feline asthma?

The bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil count is considered the most specific test for diagnosing feline asthma. In this procedure, a bronchoalveolar lavage is performed to collect cells and secretions from the airways. When the sample is analyzed, a significant number of eosinophils is indicative of an asthmatic condition. This is particularly relevant because a high eosinophil count in the lungs reflects the underlying inflammation associated with feline asthma, making it a crucial diagnostic marker.

While serum total eosinophils may indicate a systemic allergic response, it is not specific to the lungs or the condition of asthma. Similarly, radiographic findings can suggest asthma or other respiratory conditions, but they lack the specificity offered by direct cellular analysis from the bronchoalveolar lavage. Clinical signs assessment is important for gathering evidence of respiratory distress but does not provide the definitive cellular data that can confirm asthma. Therefore, the bronchoalveolar lavage eosinophil count stands out as the most specific test for this feline respiratory disorder.