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Anaemia
See chapter 8 for further information.(454) Anaemia arises in the sucking piglet due to iron deficiency because the sow's milk is deficient in iron and the piglet has minimal reserves. Iron forms an essential part of haemoglobin in the red blood cells and this is responsible for carrying oxygen. The piglet becomes rapidly anaemic and susceptible to other diseases such as scours, unless iron is supplied either orally or by injection. The skin is very pale particularly if there has been a severe haemorrhage both internal and external and there may also be respiratory embarrassment. Gastric ulcers with internal haemorrhages are a common cause in the growing pig. Porcine enteropathy resulting in massive loss of blood into the gut is seen in growing pigs and gilts.
