Common Symptoms and Prevention Tips for Iron Deficiency Anemia in Piglets
Iron plays a crucial role in pigs, serving as a key raw material for synthesizing hemoglobin, myoglobin, and various oxidases. A deficiency of this raw material in pigs leads to iron deficiency anemia in piglets. Data shows that the iron reserves in newborn piglets are limited, only 30mg to 50mg, while daily growth during nursing requires 7mg to 8mg of iron. Since only about 1mg of iron can be obtained from sow's milk, piglets under one month old cannot meet their iron needs from milk alone, making them prone to anemia, diarrhea, and developmental disorders related to iron deficiency. Especially in winter and early spring when natural iron supplementation is lacking, piglets are more susceptible to iron deficiency anemia.
Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia are not uncommon in piglets and are more prevalent in winter and spring. In closed breeding environments, piglets under one month old, especially nursing piglets aged 2 to 3 weeks, are more likely to be affected. Affected piglets often show signs of lethargy, isolation, reduced appetite, along with malnutrition, bristled hair, abnormal body temperature, and pale visible mucous membranes. In severe cases, some piglets suddenly collapse and die during activity. Blood drawn from the ear vein appears pale and thin and is difficult to coagulate.
To prevent iron deficiency anemia in piglets, the key is to strengthen the feeding management of lactating sows. Caretakers should provide feed rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, with special attention to supplementing trace elements such as iron, copper, and zinc. Additionally, placing feeding trays with added red soil or dried deep soil in the pigpen allows piglets to lick freely to supplement iron. For individual breeding piglets, iron dextran or iron-cobalt injection can be administered at 3 days old for iron supplementation.
(1) Oral iron supplementation method
Common iron preparations include ferrous sulfate, ferric pyrophosphate, ferrous lactate, and reduced iron. To promote iron absorption, they are often taken together with copper sulfate. The specific procedure is: dissolve 5g of ferrous sulfate and 1g of copper sulfate in 1kg of water, orally administer 25ml per kilogram of piglet body weight once daily for two consecutive weeks. Another method is: grind 100g of ferrous sulfate and 20g of copper sulfate into a fine powder, mix with 5kg of fine sand or red soil, and scatter it in the pig house for piglets to eat freely.
(2) Injection iron supplementation method
Common iron preparations include iron dextran, iron-cobalt injection, and sorbitol injection. Generally, a deep muscle injection of 2ml of iron dextran or iron-cobalt injection is effective with one dose. If necessary, a half dose muscle injection can be given again one week later.
Precautions
(1) Iron supplementation should be moderate. Excessive iron can inhibit the absorption of other trace elements in the intestine, such as zinc and magnesium. Excess absorbed iron may deposit in body organs like the heart, liver, and pancreas, causing hemosiderin deposition.
(2) During iron supplementation, feeding certain feeds such as shell powder, bone meal, calcium carbonate feeds, and feeds containing tannins like sorghum and wheat bran should be suspended or reduced to avoid affecting iron supplementation.
(3) Avoid taking certain drugs simultaneously during iron supplementation, such as those containing aluminum, magnesium, and calcium, as they may form insoluble complexes or precipitates with iron in the intestine. Additionally, tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, anticholinergic drugs, potassium iodide, carbonates, and tannin proteins may also react with iron.
(4) When using ferrous sulfate, it should be consumed immediately after grinding to avoid oxidation to toxic ferric iron when exposed to air for a long time.
Next Page:
More Content
Quick Navigation
Contact Us
Address: West side of Shengqi Woolen Factory, Nanqing Village, Minle Town, Beiliu City, Guangxi
Online Message
* Please fill in the correct information