Introduction
Prevention of iron deficiency anemia in the litter, seemingly with no external symp-baby pigs requires the attention of swine pro- toms of trouble. Upon post-mortem examina-ducers. Almost all newborn pigs raised on	tion these pigs will show an enlarged heart
concrete will develop anemia unless preven-	and abnormal amounts of fluid in the heart
tive measures are used. Therefore, the de- sac. Signs of chronic anemia may vary, cision should not be whether or not to use	Pigs may not do well, grow poorly, and ap-
preventive measures but which method of	pear listless with the eyelids dropping and
prevention to use.	the ears and tail hanging limp. The hair coat
may be rough, dull, coarse, and stand erect.
What is iron deficiency anemia of baby pigs? Anemia lowers the resistance of the pig to
disease. Enteritis (scouring) is common in Iron is a necessary element in the forma- anemia pigs and if often considered to be a tion of red blood cells and the compound	symptom of anemia. Two factors are invol-
hemoglobin which is a part of the red blood	ved where enteritis is considered a sign of
cell. Hemoglobin is the vehicle by which	anemia. First, the iron deficiency and re-
oxygen is transported from the lungs to the suiting interference in the enzyme system cells of the pig. If iron is lacking in the body	may cause failure of digestion with subsequent
of the pig or in his daily diet, he is unable to	enteritis. Secondly, the lowered resistance
form hemoglobin and, consequently, the cells	to disease organisms may let the causative
of the body are unable to function properly	agents of enteritis take over in the digestive
due to the lack of oxygen.	system. The growth rate may be decreased
by borderline cases of anemia in which no
Iron deficiencies not only affect hemo-	outward detectable signs of anemia are pres-
globin formation, but may affect the body's	ent in the pig.
ability to produce certain enzymes which are
essential for metabolism in the body. Since Why is the baby pig susceptible to anemia? all the vital functions of the body are dependent on enzymes, the lack of iron has a def-	The baby pig is not born with sufficient
inite effect on the body.	iron stores to furnish its needs during the
suckling period. Under natural conditions
Symptoms of iron deficiency	the pig supplements his iron from dirt in his
environment. However, on concrete he is The symptoms of iron deficiency may	unable to supplement his iron supply,
vary from the acute to chronic signs. The
classical picture of baby pig anemia is the	The sow's milk is a poor source of iron,
sudden death of the largest best doing pig in The baby pig's daily milk intake contributes
D. R. Zimmerman, and S. J. Bower, Department oj Animal Sciences and Veterinary Extension
Prevention of Baby Pig Anemia
Pigs to Pork
management
AS-372 Sept. 1967