Anaemia in housed lambs: effects of oral iron on clinical pathology and performance.
An experiment including 39 pairs of housed twin lambs was performed to evaluate the effect of an oral iron supplement (Fe-MAX Starter) on clinical pathology, growth rates and disease occurrence. Significant differences between the iron supplemented group (Fe-group) and the controls were seen, for varying periods of time, for all red blood cell and iron parameters examined. In spite of this, 25% of the iron supplemented lambs had haemoglobin values below 80 g/L 4 weeks after treatment, whereas 33% of the controls had corresponding values 3 weeks after treatment, indicating that one single iron dose was insufficient to prevent iron deficiency anaemia. No significant positive effect on live weights was seen. However, the Fe-group had a poorer daily weight gain during the first week after dosing (p < 0.01), but a better daily gain during the second (p < 0.01) and third weeks. No effects were seen on disease occurrence. An additional trial with iron dextran injections to 5 untreated 21 days old lambs with varying haemoglobin values, revealed a rapid increase in the red cell distribution in anaemic lambs, with production of macrocytic, mainly normochromic erythrocytes. The new erythrocyte population was visible on the cytogram after 2 to 3 days and on the histogram after 5 days.
Vatn
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Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Sheep and Goat Research, Sandnes, Norway. synnove.vatn@fagkjott.no
Framstad
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D018798:Anemia, Iron-Deficiency / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004906:Erythrocyte Count / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood; D019266:Iron, Dietary / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D007505:Iron-Dextran Complex; D007501:Iron