Intramuscular versus Subcutaneous Administration of Iron Dextran in Suckling Piglets

Svoboda M., J. Drábek: Intramuscular versus Subcutaneous Administration of Iron Dextran in Suckling Piglets. Acta Vet. Brno 2007, 76: S11-S15. The aim of the study was to compare the development of red blood cell indices after subcutaneous versus intramuscular administration of iron dextran to suckling piglets during early postnatal period. The piglets in group I (n = 17) were injected subcutaneously (into groin) with 200 mg Fe3+ as iron dextran on day 3 of life. In group II (n = 16), the piglets received intramuscular injection (into gluteal muscles) of 200 mg Fe3+ as iron dextran on day 3 of life. In group III (n = 10), the piglets did not receive any iron till the age of 3 days. The blood was taken and analyzed (Hb, PCV, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, Fe) on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35. Haematological indices of piglets in group III were characteristic for hypochromic anaemia. Anaemia in group III had a detrimental effect on the growth rate of piglets. The development of red blood cell indices and iron concentration in blood plasma in subcutaneously treated piglets did not differ significantly from that of intramuscularlytreated group. Both treatments prevented development of anaemia. Haemoglobin, packed cell volume, anaemia, neonatal Administration of iron to suckling piglets is a routine practice in swine production. The piglet is born with a limited reserve of iron (ca 50 mg) (Venn et al. 1947), and the sow’s milk is not a sufficient source of iron for piglets. From the sow’s milk, the piglets can receive 1-2 mg Fe daily (Czapó 1995). However the daily requirement of piglets for adequate haemoglobin formation and growth is 7-10 mg of iron per day (Kleinbeck and McGlone 1999). Therefore, without any additional iron administration the piglets develop anaemia within 10-14 days after birth (Egeli et al. 1998; Zimmernann 1995). The most common method is intramuscular injection of 200 mg Fe3+ in the form of iron dextran, although this method has been associated with some side effects. Firstly, Süveges and Glávits (1976) and Kolb and Hoffman (1989) described cases of acute toxicosis following iron dextran injection in antioxidant deficient piglets. Secondly, intramuscular injection of iron dextran can lead to myopathy in piglets deficient in vitamin E (Patterson et al. 1969; Chu et al. 1984; Kolb and Hoffman 1989). It has been suggested that free iron released from iron dextran activates the formation of free radicals, initiating lipid peroxidation leading to polymyositis and rhabdomyolysis (Foulkes et al. 1991). Thirdly, intramuscular injection into gluteal muscles can cause damage to nervus fibularis and nervus tibialis resulting in transient lameness of piglets (Heinritzi and Plonait 1997). The subcutaneous administration of iron dextran into the groin would prevent the two latter complications. Surprisingly, the producers of iron dextran preparations recommend only i.m. administration. The choice of injection technique seems to be governed more by tradition than facts, since an extensive search of the literature revealed little published data concerning the merits of either technique. We therefore decided to compare the efficiency of the two routes of administration. ACTA VET. BRNO 2007, 76: S11-S15; doi:10.2754/avb200776S8S011 Address for correspondence: MVDr. Martin Svoboda, Ph.D. University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Palackého 1-3, 612 42 Brno Czech Republic Phone: +420 541 562 433 E-mail: [email protected] http://www.vfu.cz/acta-vet/actavet.htm Materials and Methods Experimental design A total of 43 piglets were used in the study. They were divided into 3 groups using split litters, i.e. each litter was divided into three different groups. The creep feed (Seltek, Tekro s.r.o. Praha, iron content 238 mg/kg Fe) was offered to piglets from day 7 to day 35. They were weaned at the age of 28 days. Animals in group I (n = 17) received subcutaneous injection of 200 mg Fe 3+ as iron dextran into groin on day 3 of life. In group II (n = 16) the piglets were i.m. injected into gluteal muscles with 200 mg Fe3+ in the form of iron dextran at the age of 3 days. The piglets in group III (n = 10) did not receive any iron till the age of 21 days. On day 21, they were treated with iron dextran (200 mg Fe 3+, i.m.).