Changes

==Description==

==Description==

Neutrophilia refers to an increase in the number of [[Neutrophil|neutrophils]] in the blood.  In many cases, neutrophilia is accompanied by the release of substantial numbers of immature neutrophils into the blood stream from the bone marrow. The nuclei of these '''Band cells''' are not segmented and they appear to be elongated bent tubes in the cytoplasm.  The presence of band cells in the blood indicates that there is an intense need for neutrophils to maintain normal blood levels as they are lost in a purulent process somewhere in the body.  When the percentage of the total neutrophil population that is contributed by these immature forms is high, the neutrophilia is described as having a '''regenerative left shift'''.

Neutrophilia refers to an increase in the number of [[Neutrophil|neutrophils]] in the blood.  In many cases, neutrophilia is accompanied by the release of substantial numbers of immature neutrophils into the blood stream from the bone marrow. The nuclei of these '''Band cells''' are not segmented and they appear to be elongated bent tubes in the cytoplasm.  The presence of band cells in the blood indicates that there is an intense need for neutrophils to maintain normal blood levels as they are lost in a purulent process somewhere in the body.  When the percentage of the total neutrophil population that is contributed by these immature forms is high, the neutrophilia is described as having a '''regenerative left shift'''.

Very severe diseases that deplete the neutrophils may also exhaust the reserve supply of these cells in the bone marrow.  In such situations, there is a neutropenia without band cells in the circulation, a phenomenon called a '''degenerative right shift'''.  Some severe localised infections (including pyometras) may cause a neutrophilia of much greater magnitude than is usually observed.  This so-called '''leukaemoid response''' may precede a right shift.

Very severe diseases that deplete the neutrophils may also exhaust the reserve supply of these cells in the bone marrow.  In such situations, there is a neutropenia without band cells in the circulation, a phenomenon called a degenerative right shift.  Some severe localised infections (including pyometras) may cause a neutrophilia of much greater magnitude than is usually observed.  This so-called '''leukaemoid response''' may precede a right shift.

There are numerous causes of neutrophilia and it is the most common and least specific abnormal finding when blood samples undergo haematological analysis.  Common causes include:

There are numerous causes of neutrophilia and it is the most common and least specific abnormal finding when blood samples undergo haematological analysis.  Common causes include:

*'''Immune-mediated disease''' frequently causes a neutrophilia, often with a concurrent [[Monocytosis|monocytosis]].  Examples include [[Rheumatoid Arthritis|rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus|systemic lupus erythematosus]] and [[Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia|immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia]] (IMHA).

*'''Immune-mediated disease''' frequently causes a neutrophilia, often with a concurrent [[Monocytosis|monocytosis]].  Examples include [[Rheumatoid Arthritis|rheumatoid arthritis]], [[Systemic Lupus Erythematosus|systemic lupus erythematosus]] and [[Immune Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia|immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia]] (IMHA).

*'''Miscellaneous factors''' that can cause neutrophilia include:

*'''Miscellaneous factors''' that can cause neutrophilia include:

**Excitement, fear and strenuous exercise in young animals.

**Excitement, fear and strenuous exercise in young animals.