What is iron deficiency
Extra iron helps piglets grow strong and stay healthy
Iron is an essential building block for humans and animals
alike. It forms hemoglobin and myoglobin - critical proteins that
enable red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. And
many other essential proteins and enzymes in the body also require
adequate levels of iron.
Iron deficiency in piglets
Piglets are especially susceptible to iron deficiency for
several reasons:
- Pigs are born with low iron reserves (about 50 mg)10)
- A sow's milk is low in iron. It contributes only 1 mg per day,
but a piglet needs approximately 7 - 16 mg per day (depending on
the rate of weight gain) for proper growth and health10)
- Modern pig breeding practices keep sows and piglets indoors in
concrete pens that offer no chance for the animals to acquire iron
from soil9)
- Piglets have an extremely high growth rate compared to other
mammals. In fact, a piglet born at 1.5 kg will increase its weight
tenfold in its first 60 days of life. And this growth requires a
great deal of iron
When a piglet does not receive enough iron, its body does not
produce enough hemoglobin. This leads to slowed growth, inadequate
weight gain and anaemia. Early symptoms of iron deficiency anaemia
include paleness and failure to thrive. But in more severe cases,
clinical symptoms appear: stunted growth, shortness of breath, and
chronic diarrhea brought on by a compromised immune system. If left
untreated, anaemia will ultimately lead to death.
Prevention is simple
Iron deficiency anaemia in piglets is easily prevented with an
injection of iron shortly after birth. And the right iron
supplement can make a big difference.
Learn more about which iron
supplement to choose and how to administer iron