# Anemia in Neonatal Piglets: Different Iron Supplementation Strategies on Growth and Hematological Parameters of Piglets

## TL;DR

This study compares different iron supplementation methods in piglets and finds that high-dose iron injections are more effective than feed supplements in preventing anemia.

## Contribution

The study introduces a combined approach to iron supplementation and evaluates its effectiveness in neonatal piglets.

## Key findings

- High-dose iron injections were most effective at preventing anemia in piglets.
- Adding iron to feed had little effect on growth or blood health.
- Creep-feed intake did not differ between treatment groups.

## Abstract

Young piglets are very prone to iron deficiency, which can lead to anemia and poor growth. Current practices include supplementing iron via injection. However, there is a risk of overdosing many piglets. This study tested an alternate method of giving iron to piglets by combining two methods. Piglets on two farms received iron either as an injection (low or high dose) added or not with supplemented iron via the creep feed. Their weight and blood values were checked during the first three weeks of life. The results showed that high-dose iron injections were the most effective at preventing anemia. Adding more iron to the feed has little effect on growth or blood health. Overall, the study shows that iron injections are more important than voluntary intake of iron-supplemented creep feed in protecting piglets against anemia.

Piglets are highly susceptible to iron deficiency. This randomized clinical trial evaluated the effectiveness of four iron dosing schemes in preventing anemia. Two herds with different farrowing management systems were included. In each herd, 40 litters (6 piglets/litter) were selected on day 3 of age. A 2 × 2 factorial design was applied, combining two intramuscular iron dextran injection schemes [37.5 mg Fe/kg (low injection; LI) or 150 mg Fe/kg (high injection; HI)] with two oral ferrous sulphate feed supplementation schemes [125 mg Fe/kg (low feed; LF) or 200 mg Fe/kg (high feed; HF)]. Blood samples were collected at 4 and 20 days of age, and piglets were weighed at 3 and 20 days. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models, with significance set at p < 0.05. In Herd A, HI-LF piglets showed increased body weight, whereas no growth differences were observed in Herd B. Creep-feed intake did not differ between treatments. HI consistently improved red-cell indices in Herd A, while in Herd B LI piglets initially showed higher values at day 4, but HI piglets surpassed them by day 20. Leukocyte responses were limited. High-dose iron injections were effective in preventing anemia, while oral supplementation had minimal impact.