Suspected iron deficiency anaemia in two hand-reared, suckling bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus): a case report.

Abstract

This case report describes clinical and haematological findings suggestive of iron deficiency anaemia in two approximately 190-200-day-old, hand-reared, suckling bare-nosed wombats (Vombatus ursinus) at a single wildlife rehabilitation facility. Both exhibited microcytic, hypochromic anaemia, with serum iron concentrations measured later in the clinical course that were suggestive of iron deficiency. Although the aetiology remains unclear, factors such as low iron bioavailability in milk formula and lack of environmental iron are discussed. Due to the lack of validated reference intervals for this species and age group, these findings should be interpreted with caution. This report highlights the need for further investigation into iron homeostasis and anaemia in juvenile marsupials under human care.