Efficacy of toltrazuril and gleptoferron with dextran on the prevention of coccidiosis and iron deficiency anemia in suckling piglets
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Abstract
The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of injectable toltrazuril and gleptoferron (combined in one injectable product) in controlling coccidiosis and iron deficiency anemia in piglets. A total of 16 farrowing litters were assigned to 2 treatment groups, 8 litters per group. The piglets in the control group (conventional treatment) were injected with 1 mL of iron dextran (200 mg) and orally administered 1 mL of 5% toltrazuril at 2 days of age (DOA). In the treatment group, the piglets were injected with 1.5 mL of combined product (containing 200 mg of iron and 45 mg of toltrazuril), also at 2 DOA. The mean hemoglobin concentration of 2 DOA piglets in the control group (110.00 ± 17.20 g/L) was similar to that of the treatment group (104.60 ± 15.40 g/L) (P > 0.05). However, the mean hemoglobin concentration of the control group (103.30 ± 15.80 g/L) was lower than that of the treatment group (111.60 ± 16.00 g/L) at weaning (P < 0.05). Real-time PCR results did not detect oocysts in fecal samples except at 15 DOA. The threshold cycle (Ct) index in the control group at 15 DOA (34.36 - 34.79) was lower than that of the treatment group (35.07 - 36.98). Futhermore, the treatment group had a higher mean body weight at weaning and average daily gain (7.98 kg and 265.20 g/day) than that of the control group (7.40 kg and 225.60 g/day) (P < 0.001). In conclusion, combination product provided more benefits for suckling piglets, including controlling coccidiosis and significantly improving weight gain.
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References
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