Changes

Reports of iron deficiency in dogs and cats are consistent with its involvement in haemoglobin function. The symptoms of iron deficiency are very similar for the two species. Although naturally-occurring dietary iron deficiency is rare, nursing puppies and kittens may have an inadequate intake due to the low iron concentration in milk<ref name="Naigamwalla"/>.

Reports of iron deficiency in dogs and cats are consistent with its involvement in haemoglobin function. The symptoms of iron deficiency are very similar for the two species. Although naturally-occurring dietary iron deficiency is rare, nursing puppies and kittens may have an inadequate intake due to the low iron concentration in milk<ref name="Naigamwalla"/>.

====Recognised Syndromes Related to Iron Deficiency====

====Recognised Syndromes Related to Iron Deficiency====

#'''Haematological changes:''' Weanling puppies and kittens showed suboptimal blood haemoglobin concentration and low [[Packed Cell Volume|haematocrit]] values when fed diets containing less than 80 mg/kg iron on a dry matter (DM) basis<ref>Chausow, D, Czarnecki-Maulden, G. (1987). “Estimation of dietary iron requirement for the weanling puppy and kitten”. J. Nutr. 117:928-932.</ref>. Other haematological changes reported in dogs include [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|anaemia]] and low saturation of plasma transferrin – a beta-globulin acting as a carrier of iron<ref name="Harvey">Harvey, J (1998). “Iron deficiency anaemia in dogs and cats”.Proc. N. Am. Vet. Conf. Florida 12:336-338.</ref>.  

#'''Haematological changes:''' Weanling puppies and kittens showed suboptimal blood haemoglobin concentration and low [[Packed Cell Volume|haematocrit]] values when fed diets containing less than 80 mg/kg iron on a [[Nutrition Glossary#Dry Matter Basis|dry matter (DM) basis]]<ref>Chausow, D, Czarnecki-Maulden, G. (1987). “Estimation of dietary iron requirement for the weanling puppy and kitten”. J. Nutr. 117:928-932.</ref>. Other haematological changes reported in dogs include [[Regenerative and Non-Regenerative Anaemias|anaemia]] and low saturation of plasma transferrin – a beta-globulin acting as a carrier of iron<ref name="Harvey">Harvey, J (1998). “Iron deficiency anaemia in dogs and cats”.Proc. N. Am. Vet. Conf. Florida 12:336-338.</ref>.  

#'''Other clinical signs:''' The same researcher<ref name="Harvey"/> also reported clinical signs of iron deficiency in dogs and cats that included poor growth, pale mucous membranes, lethargy and [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]. Haematochezia and melaena were also observed – both are signs of blood loss from the intestine, usually seen as blood in the faeces.

#'''Other clinical signs:''' The same researcher<ref name="Harvey"/> also reported clinical signs of iron deficiency in dogs and cats that included poor growth, pale mucous membranes, lethargy and [[Diarrhoea|diarrhoea]]. Haematochezia and melaena were also observed – both are signs of blood loss from the intestine, usually seen as blood in the faeces.