title: Hematologic features of iron deficiency anemia in llamas.
abstract: Iron deficiency anemia was identified and characterized in three 14 to 29-month-old male llamas (llama Nos. 1-3) from separate herds in Colorado. The identification of iron deficiency anemia was based on hypoferremia (serum iron = 20-60 micrograms/dl), erythrocytic features, and hematologic response to iron therapy. The anemia was moderate and nonregenerative and characterized by erythrocyte hypochromia, microcytosis (mean cell volume = 15-18 fl), and decreased mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (36.0-41.0 g/dl). Morphologic features unique to llamas with iron deficiency anemia included irregular distribution of hypochromia within erythrocytes and increased folded cells and dacryocytes. The cause of iron deficiency was not determined. The llamas were treated with various doses and schedules of parenteral iron dextran. Two of the llamas were monitored for up to 14 months after the start of iron therapy and experienced increases in hematocrit and mean cell volume values. In one llama, progressive replacement of microcytic cells with normal cells was visualized on sequential erythrocyte volume distribution histograms following iron therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Morin
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Garry
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Weiser
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fettman
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000747:Anemia, Hypochromic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000097:blood*; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex