[Prophylactic efficacy of Bulgarian potassium-calcium zeolite in digestion disorders in pigs]

Laboratory and economic experiments were carried out with the Bulgarian potassium-and-calcium zeolite. It was found to produce a good prophylactic effect with regard to disturbances in the digestive tract in amounts of up to 4 per cent of the concentrated feed. Pigs that were given zeolites showed higher general resistance. This was demonstrated by the increase in Ca, P, total protein, alfa 2, gamma 1, and gamma 2-globulins in the serum parallel to the rise of the leukocyte and lymphocyte count and the hemoglobin level in the blood. It was also established that the zeolite contributed to lower morbidity and mortality rates. Certain age-associated differences were observed with regard to the growth rate--those of the pigs that obtained the zeolite showed higher weight gain in the interval between the 30th and 60th day from birth.