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Anaemia in housed newborn lambs
J M Bassett1, R A Borrett, C Hanson
1Growth and Development Unit, University of Oxford, Wytham.
The Veterinary Record
|February 11, 1995
Summary
Lambs experienced a drop in packed cell volume (PCV) during early life, indicating potential anemia. Iron dextran injections prevented this decline but did not impact lamb growth rates.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Science
- Hematology
Background:
- Out-of-season breeding and housing practices can influence lamb health.
- Packed cell volume (PCV) is a key indicator of anemia in young animals.
- Lambs may experience physiological changes affecting PCV post-birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the changes in packed cell volume (PCV) in lambs during the suckling period.
- To determine the effect of iron dextran supplementation on lamb PCV and growth.
- To assess the relationship between early PCV values and lamb growth rates.
Main Methods:
- Monitoring packed cell volume (PCV) in lambs housed during late pregnancy and suckling.
- Observing clinical signs of anemia.
- Administering iron dextran intramuscularly to newborn lambs.
- Measuring lamb growth rates.
Main Results:
- Lamb PCV declined significantly by one month of age, with some showing clinical anemia signs.
- PCV values spontaneously recovered to normal ranges before weaning.
- Iron dextran prevented the PCV decrease but did not affect lamb health or growth.
- No correlation was found between early PCV and growth rate.
Conclusions:
- Lambs may experience a temporary, self-correcting drop in PCV post-birth, unrelated to growth.
- Iron supplementation can prevent this PCV decline but doesn't enhance growth in this context.
- Further research could explore the specific causes of PCV fluctuations in lambs.