Wright's stain, 500x

  This animal suffered from iron deficiency, and developed a hypochromic, microcytic anemia. The black arrow indicates a normal red blood cell; compare this cell with its closest neighbours and notice the central pallor of the latter. Also present are microcytes (red arrow), smaller red blood cells that will posses variable central pallor. Note that there is also erythrocyte fragmentation in this slide, which may be present in cases of iron deficiency. The development of hypochromia or microcytosis depends on the severity of the deficiency, such that some cases of iron deficiency may even be associated with a normocytic and normochromic anemia. Anemia of iron deficiency is frequently regenerative, especially in association with chronic blood loss.