Hematologic responses in llamas with experimentally-induced iron deficiency anemia

Hematologic abnormalities consistent with iron deficiency anemia were experimentally induced in two healthy llamas by repeated phlebotomy. Hematologic abnormalities included erythrocyte microcytosis and hypochromia, decreased hemoglobin concentration, hypoferremia, and decreased transferrin saturation. Erythrocyte volume distribution histograms were more sensitive than mean corpuscular volume values for detection of microcytosis. Hypochromia, which was often eccentric, was morphologically observed on Wright-Giemsa-stained blood films. Frequent folded erythrocytes and dacryocytes were also noted on the blood films. Hematologic abnormalities resolved rapidly after cessation of blood removal, without parenteral iron supplementation.