CONTROL OF IRON DEFICIENCY ANAEMIA IN PIGLETS THROUGH 2-7-10-15 MODULE OF ORAL IRON SUPPLEMENTATION

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia is the leading cause of piglet mortality. It happens due to low iron stores in piglets at birth, increasing body weight with the high demand for hemoglobin carrying red blood cells, presence of a very low amount of iron in sow’s milk, and immature mechanism of iron absorption in piglets. Iron supplementation is the only way to control it. The present study investigated the efficacy of oral iron supplementation in two different doses @ 30 mg/kg body weight and 150 mg/ kg body weight on suckling piglet performance, control of iron deficiency anemia, and blood as well as organ iron status. The iron supplementation was given on the 2nd, 7th, 10th, and 15 th- day post birth. Oral iron supplementation to piglets improved growth parameters, hemoglobin level, serum Fe and serum ferritin levels, and organ (liver and spleen) Fe levels. Moreover, at weaning, hemoglobin levels of supplemented piglets were normal whereas the un-supplemented piglets were suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Therefore, oral iron supplementation @ of 30 mg/kg body weight on 2-7-10-15 days post-birth may be recommended for control of iron deficiency anemia and improvement of iron status in piglets.