The use of parenteral application of ferric carboxymaltose in the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia in suckling piglets

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ferric carboxymaltose injection in the prevention of anaemia in suckling piglets. In group A (<i>n</i> = 8), piglets were administered iron in the form of iron carboxymaltose complex (Ferinject^®) at a dose of 200 mg i.m. (neck muscle) at the age of 3 days. In group B (<i>n</i> = 8), piglets were given iron in the form of iron dextran (Ferribion^®) at a dose of 200 mg i.m. (neck muscle) at the age of 3 days. In group C (<i>n</i> = 8, anaemic control group), iron was not administered until the age of 10 days. During the study, no statistically significant differences were observed in the parameters of red blood cell count or blood plasma iron concentration between the group that received iron carboxymaltase and the group that received iron dextran. The results of haematological and biochemical examinations achieved in our study show that the application of iron carboxymaltase was successful in preventing iron deficiency anaemia in piglets. The results indicate comparable efficacy of iron carboxymaltase and iron dextran.