Oral Iron Dextran and Iron from Steel Slats as Hematinics for Swine

Three studies were conducted with 86 litters containing 807 pigs to evaluate two methods of iron dextran administration and the affect of type of floor. Iron dextran was shown to be effective as a hematinic for 28 days whether injected intramuscularly or administered orally within the first 12 hr. of life, prior to closure of the intestine to absorption of large molecules. Pigs farrowed and raised on steel-slatted floors maintained adequate hemoglobin values with no other iron treatment. Pigs managed similarly on steel slats coated with epoxy developed anemia by 14 days.