Iron for piglets: instructions for use and popular preparations

In the first days of life, iron injections for piglets are essential. The animal is born with a minimum supply of this trace element in the body. In order to prevent developmental delay and the onset of anemia, it is necessary to know popular iron-containing preparations, dosage, vaccination rules. As well as contraindications for use, side effects in case of violation of the technology of drug administration.

Why do pigs need iron injections?

Piglets actively grow and develop from the first days of life. The volume of blood also increases proportionally. Iron deficiency leads to the fact that the cells of the body are poorly saturated with oxygen, anemia develops.

With a deficiency of this microelement, pigs experience sleep disorders, lack of appetite, and young animals lag behind in development.

Popular iron supplements

Piglets are given injections in the first days of their lives. Most popular iron medicines:

1. "Iron Dextran". Used to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Piglets are prescribed for 2-3 days of life, the dosage for 1 individual is 1.5-2 ml. It is administered intramuscularly, intravenously. Store the drug in a place protected from direct sunlight.
2. "Ferranimal" - increases the body's resistance to diseases, normalizes metabolic processes, improves general condition, accelerates growth. The medicine is injected into the neck or thigh. Dosage for piglets on days 2-4 - 2 ml, if necessary, after 2 weeks the injections are repeated.
3. Ferroglyukin. With a lack of vitamin E, the use of the drug is contraindicated. The drug is administered intramuscularly in the neck or thigh (2-3 ml per animal) on the 4th day of life. Repeat after 1.5 weeks.
4. Ursoferran. Used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, improving the general condition of animals. Enter once on 3-4 days of life.
5. "Sedimin" - improves immunity, prevents the development of diseases associated with a lack of useful trace elements and disorders in the endocrine system. The agent is administered strictly in accordance with the instructions for use: for the first time 3-5 days after birth, again - after 7-10 days, for the third time - 7-10 days before weaning from the sow.

Iron deficiency is only seen in piglets fed milk.

Therefore, iron-containing preparations are used up to 2 months of age, when the young are weaned.

How to inject iron to piglets

Violation of the injection conditions leads to stress in the animal, affects the further growth of the piglet. Careless handling can injure the baby, there is also a risk of infection. 6 steps to properly vaccinate:

1. Before the drug is administered, a separate clean room is prepared in which the young animals are settled.
2. The syringe is carefully taken out of the package, the drug is drawn up.
3. Choose from the total mass of the piglet. Injections are placed in the place indicated in the instructions for use of the drug. The injection area is treated with an antiseptic.
4. Most often the injection is done in the leg. To carry out the procedure, it is lifted and slightly pulled to the side, holding it in this position until the agent is injected. The main thing is not to harm the piglet.
5. With the hand held to the side, slightly tighten the skin to expose the muscle. The needle is inserted at an angle of 45 ˚, the drug is injected.
6. After the injection, the skin is returned back, for better absorption of the medicine, lightly press down on the injection site.

To avoid confusion, the vaccinated piglet is tagged or moved to a separate paddock. After 2-3 injections, the syringe is disinfected with medical alcohol.

Side effects and contraindications

With the use of iron supplements, side effects are rare. Darkening of the skin at the injection sites is considered normal and does not require treatment. It goes away on its own within 2.5 weeks. Treatment with iron-containing drugs is contraindicated:

• with hypersensitivity to the components of the drug;
• when using other medicines, especially antibiotics;
• for blood parasitic diseases not associated with iron deficiency.

Iron-containing preparations are not recommended to be administered (taken in one syringe) simultaneously with B vitamins. Micronutrients contribute to increased allergic reactions. If swelling, dermatitis appear - injections are canceled, antihistamines are prescribed.

Piglets need iron for full development and normal life. But since mother's milk cannot provide the newborn with this trace element in the required amount, the breeder has to make up for the deficiency with injections.

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