Page 2 - Swine Newsletter March 2020 FINAL Pages no bleeed

Interchem Swine Spring/Summer Newsletter 2020

Iron-deficiency Anaemia in Piglets

Piglets are born with limited their pigs are growing below sufficient, high quality iron, not
iron reserves and require optimum rates or see the negative only to prevent iron deficiency
supplementation of iron for the effects that sub-clinical anaemia is anaemia, but to achieve their
prevention of anaemia and to having on feed conversion rates. full growth potential by having a
build their immune system (1) Iron In addition, they may not realise strong immune system.
supplementation is performed that their pigs have a much lower
routinely on commercial farms, resistance to disease. Haemoglobin testing is a quick
however iron status of piglets is way of finding out if you have
rarely evaluated. To be effective, the iron must be anaemic or iron deficient piglets
available for complete absorption in your herd. For more information
Iron deficiency anaemia in the within the body. If the iron is or to arrange a haemoglobin
piglet can be manifested in one of not completely absorbed, it is test, contact Interchem’s Swine
two ways - clinical or sub-clinical not available for utilisation. It is Technical Specialist, Lisa Hopkins.
anaemia. important to note that not all
iron compositions are the same. A brief look at Gleptosil
Clinical anaemia is the more severe Gleptosil contains gleptoferron.
form and is characterised by a Over 95% of the injected • Can be used on 1st day of life
• Gleptoferron molecule:
reduction in growth rate, lethargy gleptoferron within Gleptosil maximum & rapid bioavailability
and pale skin. is absorbed within 24 hours, • 96% absorbed within 24 hours
While the signs of clinical anaemia ensuring very high utilisation of • No risk of accumulation at the
injection site resulting in ham
are easily recognised, sub-clinical the dose by the piglet with no staining and losses at slaughter
anaemia may not be recognised at staining at the injection site (2) • 1ml / pig (200mg iron)
all. The producer may not realise In summary, piglets require

References
(1)Perri et. Al., 2015, An
investigation of iron deficiency
and anaemia in piglets and the
effect of iron status at weaning
on post-weaning performance
(2)Salle E., 2006, Comparative
study of the efficacy of
gleptoferron and iron dextran in
anaemia prevention in piglets.
Proceedings IPVS Denmark