Studies on Iron Deficiency in Buffalo Calves of Jammu Region Singh R., Bhardwaj R. K., Yadav A. Division of Veterinary Clinical Medicine & J. Faculty of Veterinary Sciences & A.H. S.K. University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology-Jammu R.S. Pura-181102, Jammu (Jammu & Kashmir) Online published on 16 November, 2011. Abstract An attempt was made to evaluate the iron status of buffalo calves in the age group of 5–30 days reared under unorganized management system by the nomads. The average values of Hb and PCV were 11.60± 0.62 g/dl and 39.67± 1.88 per cent, respectively. The peripheral blood smear examination revealed poikilocytosis. The prevalence of anemia based on hemoglobin and PCV was 16.67 and 8.30 per cent, respectively. The average values of plasma iron and TIBC were 245.5 ±59.4 μg dl−1 and 736.7 ±178.25 μg dl−1. Based on plasma level, iron deficiency was observed in 20.83 per cent calves. Soil and fodder samples of the area were having adequate levels of iron. The average values of TPP, albumin, globulin and A: G and BUN were 7.51 ±0.32 g/dl, 3.02 ±0.11 g/dl, 4.48 ±0.37 g/dl, 0.74 ±0.07 and 15.78 ±4.40 mg/dl, respectively. Based on study, it was concluded that iron deficiency exists in buffalo neonates and supplementation of iron through injectable preparations would be more beneficial compared with oral supplements. Top Keywords buffalo calves, iron, anaemia, fodder, soil. Top |