Effects of iron dextran injections on the incidence of abomasal bloat, clinical pathology and growth rates in lambs.
A preliminary study revealed significantly lower serum iron concentrations in lambs that developed abomasal bloat about one week later, than in lambs that did not develop bloat. In a subsequent trial, with 754 naturally reared twin lambs from five flocks, iron dextran injections were found to have a preventive effect on the development of abomasal bloat. Clinical signs of abomasal bloat were observed in the placebo-treated lamb of 16 couples and in the iron-treated lamb of six couples (P<0.05). In three further couples, both lambs developed bloat. The iron-treated group had significantly (P<0.001) better average weight gains, both from birth to summer, and from birth to autumn of approximately 0.5 and 1 kg, respectively. There was a reduction in red blood cell values and iron saturation in the placebo group 14 days after treatment but not in the iron-treated lambs. In one of the flocks, there was a decrease in the cumulative incidence of abomasal bloat from 37 per cent to 3 per cent during the period of four years after measures such as later lambing, earlier turnout and iron injections were introduced.
Vatn
S
S
Department of Sheep and Goat Research, The Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Sandnes.
Torsteinbø
W O
WO
D000018:Abomasum; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D000090463:Iron Deficiencies; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development*; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013272:Stomach Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D014427:Twins
D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex; D007501:Iron