Effect of increasing GleptoForte dosage in newborn pigs on sow and litter performance

摘要

Newborn piglets are more susceptible to iron deficiency due to inadequate iron stores at birth and rapid growth rate before weaning. This can cause decreased number of circulating red blood cells, lethargy, and mortality.1 The importance of iron supplementation in newborn piglets within 3 days of birth has been well established.2,3 The injection of200 mg of iron is commonplace in the swine industry at time of piglet processing. This iron injection results in improved growth rate and iron status of piglets, but there is some concern over the level provided with one injection as opposed to giving a booster before weaning.3 Gelp-toforte (Ceva Animal Health, LLC, Lenexa, KS) is an injectable iron that contains gleptoferron and is utilized to prevent anemia in newborn piglets. Little data is available that confirms the appropriate level of iron injection needed with modern genotypes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing dosage of Gleptoforte in newborn pigs on sow and litter performance.