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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:

*'''Purulent Foci''' and '''abscesses''' in the body produce substantial neutrophilia.  Examples include pyometra, severe pyoderma and empyema (purulent inflammation of a body cavity).  In severe cases of purulent inflammation, neutrophils may appear '''toxic''' when observed on cytological slides.  These toxic cells have evident, blue-staining cytoplasmic granules and some cytoplasmic vacuolation.  These cells have decreased bactericidal capability and do not respond as quickly to chemotactic stimuli.

*'''Purulent foci''' and '''abscesses''' in the body can produce a substantial neutrophilia.  Examples include pyometra, severe pyoderma and empyema (purulent inflammation of a body cavity).  In severe cases of purulent inflammation, neutrophils may appear '''toxic''' when observed on cytological slides.  These toxic cells have evident, blue-staining cytoplasmic granules and some cytoplasmic vacuolation.  These cells have decreased bactericidal capability and do not respond as quickly to chemotactic stimuli. In contrast, abscesses that have become walled off may fail to induce the expected neutrophilia.

*'''Bacterial infection''' may result in neutrophilia as neutrophils are the major type of leucocyte that act to control this type of pathogen.  Some bacteria, particularly Gram positive species, are particularly pyogenic due to their ability to resist intracellular killing by neutrophils.

*'''Bacterial infection''' may result in neutrophilia as neutrophils are the major type of leucocyte that act to control this type of pathogen.  Some bacteria, particularly Gram positive species, are particularly pyogenic due to their ability to resist intracellular killing by neutrophils.

*'''Fungal infection''' with, for example ''[[Aspergillus spp.]]''.

*'''Fungal infection''' with, for example ''[[Aspergillus spp.]]''.

*'''Viral infection''' may cause a neutrophilia but neutrophils are often not the major type of inflammatory cell responding to the infection. Examples include [[Paramyxoviridae#Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)|canine distemper]], [[Herpesviridae|equine rhinotracheitis virus]] (EHV-1) and [[Herpesviridae#Bovine herpesvirus -1|infectious bovine rhinotracheitis]] (IBR or BHV-1).

*'''Viral infection''' may cause a neutrophilia but neutrophils are often not the major type of inflammatory cell responding to the infection and they may be reacting to the threat of secondary bacterial infections rather than the primary viral pathogen. Examples include [[Paramyxoviridae#Canine Distemper Virus (CDV)|canine distemper]], [[Herpesviridae|equine rhinotracheitis virus]] (EHV-1) and [[Herpesviridae#Bovine herpesvirus -1|infectious bovine rhinotracheitis]] (IBR or BHV-1).

*'''Parasitic infection''' may cause a neutrophilia but neutrophils are often not the major type of inflammatory cell responding to the infection and [[Eosinophilia|eosinophilia]] is more likely.  Examples include [[Fasciolosis|fasciolosis]] and [[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|toxoplasmosis]].

*'''Parasitic infection''' may cause a neutrophilia but neutrophils are often not the major type of inflammatory cell responding to the infection and [[Eosinophilia|eosinophilia]] is more likely.  Examples include [[Fasciolosis|fasciolosis]] and [[Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog|toxoplasmosis]].