Comparative efficacy of two parenteral iron-containing preparations, iron gleptoferron and iron dextran, for the prevention of anaemia in suckling piglets.

Iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is a serious health problem in neonatal piglets and is controlled by routine application of iron in various formulations. The efficacy and safety of two iron-containing products for the prevention of IDA in suckling piglets were compared in a randomised, parallel study. Newborn piglets were treated with 200 mg iron supplied by intramuscular injection in the neck as either Forceris (gleptoferron; n=13) or Uniferon 200 (iron dextran; n=12) 24-48 hours after birth. Blood samples were collected before and after treatment (2nd, 18th and 31st day of life) for complete haematology. The treatments were well tolerated with only mild transient swelling observed in two piglets (Forceris group). Piglets treated with Forceris had significantly higher haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume and haemoglobin concentration values, as well as significantly higher plasma iron and transferritin saturation and a lower total iron binding capacity than those treated with Uniferon. No animals in the Forceris group but 17 per cent of piglets in the Uniferon group had haemoglobin levels <9 g/dl after treatment, indicating anaemia. These results suggest that both products were safe and effective in the prophylaxis of IDA in piglets, and that Forceris was superior to Uniferon in preventing IDA in piglets.