Piggy Health Matters
Uploaded January 2008

Anaemia: Iron Deficiency

Whilst most outdoor farrowing piglets have a source of iron though access to the soil, piglets born/reared indoors may not have easy access to a natural supply of this important mineral. It is important to be alert to the symptoms of iron deficiency to ensure strong growth in the piglets.

The piglet is born with a level of haemoglobin in the blood of 12-13g/1 OOml, however this drops down rapidly to 6-7mg/100ml by 10 to 14 days old. A shortage of iron results in lowered levels of haemoglobin in the red blood cells, hence the onset of anaemia. This turn lowers the capacity to carry oxygen around the body and increases susceptibility to disease.

Clinical Signs
Piglets appear pale from about day 7 onwards, sometimes, but not always growing more slowly. The piglet's skin may appear to have a yellowish even jaundiced appearance. The affected piglet may scour.

Treatment
Iron injections are the most effective treatment and you should ask your veterinary surgeon for advice.

It has been said that putting a mound of soil in with a nearly farrowed sow gives the piglets the opportunity to root around and digest iron through the soil but there is no scientific evidence to support this and anyway the sow tends to lie in it!!!