Iron Deficiency

The profit killer

2,3 kg may not sound like much, but it really adds up when you consider that’s how much weight you could be losing due to iron deficiency for each piglet you eventually ship to market1,2,3

  1. 1: Perri A et al. An investigation of iron deficiency and anaemia in piglets and the effect of iron status at weaning on post-weaning performance. JSHAP. 2016;24:10–20.
  2. 2: Fredericks L et al. Evaluation of the impact of iron dosage on post- weaning weight gain, and mortality. AASV. 2018;315
  3. 3: Olsen, C. (2019) The economics of iron deficiency anaemia on US swine production: An annual impact of 46-335 million US dollars. American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Orlando. Florida.
  4. * Industry Standards for Blood Hb Levels (g/L)

Anaemia & blood haemoglobin levels

When piglets exhaust their iron stores, anaemia symptoms will become evident via incrementally lower blood haemoglobin assays, respectively.

Injectable iron is the most effective and practical method to treat and prevent anaemia common in all piglets.

Uniferon® is an injectable iron product you can trust to provide a high-quality, safe and effective treatment for piglets that does not include measurable levels of lead or arsenic toxic impurities1.

  1. 1 Radke, S.L., Olsen, C.W., Ensley, S.M., (2018) Elemental impurities in injectable iron products for swine. The Journal of Swine Health and Production, 26(3).
For optimal piglet health and performance, haemoglobin levels must be at or above 110 g/L

Optimise growth rates in piglets

Elevated levels of haemoglobin are known to benefit oxygen transport, carbon dioxide elimination, immune function, vigorous growth, vitality and metabolism in piglets. A recent study confirms important associations of hematological status at weaning and weight gain post-weaning5, leading experts to recommend postweaning growth requires haemoglobin levels at or above 110 g/L.1

Increasing levels of Hb shows a positive association with growth rates of piglets post-weaning:

An increase in 10g/l of Hb at weaning led to a 17.2 g/head/day weight gain increase in piglets in the 3 weeks post weaning2;

Average daily gain increased by 20.1 g/head/day with a second 200 mg dose vs single dose (p = 0.012) in the 15 days post-weaning3;

Piglets that were anaemic at weaning were 0.82 kg lighter 3 weeks post-weaning compared to those with optimal haemoglobin at weaning4; and

Post-weaning ADG increased in a linear fashion (p < 0.02) in response to increasing iron doses (0 to 300 mg iron dextran) from 0 to 52 days of age5.

  1. 1 Nielsen, J.P. et al., 2013: “Herd diagnosis of iron deficiency in piglets”. In: Proc. 5th ESPHM Cong., May 2013
  2. 2 Nielsen, J.P. & S. Bhattarai 2014: “Association of hematological status at weaning and weight gain post-weaning in piglets.” In: Proc. 23rd IPVS Cong., June 2014
  3. 3 Haugegaard J et al. Effect of supplementing fast-growing, late-weaned piglets twice with 200 mg iron dextran intramuscularly. The Pig Journal. 2008. 61; 69-73.
  4. 4 Perri A et al. An investigation of iron deficiency and aneamia in piglets and the effect of iron status at weaning on post-weaning performance. JSHAP. 2016;24:10–20.
  5. 5 Chevalier, T.B., et al. Journal of Animal Science (2023), 101, 1-8

Improvement of growth rates in piglets

Point-of-Care

Get access to expert know-how and support with Uniferon® Point-of-Care

Uniferon® Point-of-Care gives you access to hands-on expert know-how and scientific support on optimal anaemia care. We collaborate with leading industry experts and veterinarians to ensure high quality standards. Uniferon® is distributed through distributers around the world. Please contact us at uniferon@pharmacosmos.com to learn more about Uniferon® Point-of-Care in your country.

Uniferon® Instruction Videos
In support of the Point-of-Care program we have developed 3 animation videos, which in an easily accessible and educational way will introduce you to 3 important topics regarding the elimination of iron deficiency anaemia and optimal iron treatment in piglets

Uniferon Instruction Videos

In support of the Point-of-Care program we have developed three short instruction videos, which will introduce the viewer in an easily accessible and educational way to three important topics related to eliminating iron deficiency anaemia in piglets regarding optimal iron treatmeant. The focus areas of the videos are: Correct injection technique, Pen side testing for anaemia and The potential of a second dose.