In the first days of life, iron injections for piglets are extremely necessary. An animal is born with a minimal supply of this microelement in the body. To prevent developmental delays and the onset of anemia, you need to know the popular iron-containing drugs, dosage, and 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. Blood volume also increases proportionally.Lack of iron leads to the fact that the body's cells are poorly saturated with oxygen, and anemia develops.
With a deficiency of this microelement, pigs experience sleep disorders, lack of appetite, and young animals are developmentally delayed.
Popular iron supplements
Injections are given to piglets already in the first days of their life. Iron-containing medicines that are especially popular:
- "Iron dextran". Used to prevent and treat iron deficiency. Piglets are prescribed on the 2-3rd day 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.
- “Ferranimal” – increases the body’s resistance to diseases, normalizes metabolic processes, improves general condition, and accelerates growth. The medicine is injected into the neck or thigh area. The dosage for piglets on days 2-4 is 2 ml; if necessary, the injections are repeated after 2 weeks.
- "Ferroglucin". If there is a lack of vitamin E, the use of the product is contraindicated. The medicine is administered intramuscularly into the neck or thigh area (2-3 ml per animal) on the 4th day of life. Repeat after 1.5 weeks.
- "Ursoferran." Used for the prevention and treatment of iron deficiency anemia, improving the general condition of animals. Administer once on day 3-4 of life.
- “Sedimin” – increases immunity, prevents the development of diseases associated with a lack of beneficial microelements and disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system. The product 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 observed only in piglets that are fed milk.
Therefore, iron-containing preparations are used up to 2 months of age, when young animals are weaned from their mother.
How to inject iron into piglets
Violation of the injection conditions leads to stress in the animal and affects the further growth of the piglet. Careless handling can injure the baby, and there is also a risk of infection. 6 steps for proper vaccination:
- Before administering the medicine, prepare a separate clean room into which the young animals are placed.
- Carefully remove the syringe from the package and draw up the drug.
- A piglet is selected from the total mass. Injections are placed in the place indicated in the instructions for use of the drug. The injection area is treated with an antiseptic.
- Most often the injection is given in the leg. To carry out the procedure, it is lifted and slightly pulled to the side, holding in this position until the product is injected. The main thing is not to harm the piglet.
- Using your holding hand to the side, lightly pull the skin to expose the muscle. The needle is inserted at an angle of 45˚, and the drug is injected.
- After the injection, the skin is returned back; for better absorption of the medicine, the injection site is lightly pressed.
To avoid confusion, the vaccinated piglet is marked or placed in a separate pen. After 2-3 injections, the syringe is disinfected with medical alcohol.
Side effects and contraindications
Side effects are rare when using iron-containing medications. Darkening of the skin at 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 medications, especially antibiotics;
- for blood parasitic diseases not associated with iron deficiency.
Iron-containing preparations are not recommended to be administered (drawn into the same syringe) simultaneously with B vitamins. Micronutrients contribute to increased allergic reactions. If swelling or dermatitis appears, the injections are canceled and antihistamines are prescribed.
Piglets need iron for full development and normal functioning. But since mother’s milk cannot provide the newborn with this microelement in the required quantity, the breeder has to make up for the deficiency with the help of injections.
