Hematinics
Hematinics are agents or drugs which are used in the treatment of anaemia and generally act by stimulation of hemoglobin synthesis of erythropoiesis.
Iron
Iron is necessary for hamoglobin formation. It is available in the diet. However often it is supplemented for the treatment of deficiency of iron by giving as oral or parenteral preparation.
Oral preparation should be supplied as ferrous sulphate, gluconate and fumarate. The usual dose is 100 – 300 mg / kg for dogs and 50 – 100 mg / kg for cats.
Parenteral preparations can be administered if oral preparations are not feasible. Iron dextran can be given as a single injection at 2-3 days of age in neonatal pigs.
Copper
Copper is utilized as a cofactor in the synthesis of haemoglobin. Copper deficiency, if suspected is treated by administering copper containing salts such as copper sulphate or copper glycinate.
Cobalt
Cobalt is utilized for the synthesis of Vitamin B12. Supplementation is by sulafate or chloride of Cobalt @ 0.2 to 0.5 gm / day for cattle or 0.05 – 0.1 gm / day for sow through feed or oral drenching.
Folic acid
Folic acid is also essential for synthesis of DNA and RNA and thus synthesis of RBCs. Anemia due to folic acid deficiency is called megaloblastic anemia. Folic acid is also available by diet from yeast, liver, vegetables etc. Supplementation of folic acid can be given as oral supplements @ 2- 5 mg / kg / day.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is essential for DNA synthesis. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 causes nuclear maturation and division and causes pernicious anaemia. Supplementation is given by parenteral preparations of cyanocobalamin @ 2- 5 µg /kg.
Erythropoietin
Erythropoietin is a glycoprotein hormone produced by renal peritubular cells in response to hypoxic signals received in the kidney. It is essential for normal erythropoiesis. This acts on bone marrow to stimulate erythropoiesis. Erythropoietin is indicated in anaemia due to chronic renal failure. The synthetic form of erythropoietin Epoetin alfa is available and is given subcutaneous injections.
Anabolic steroids
These are testosterone like compounds with protein anabolic activity. They increase circulating RBC mass. They are indicated in chronic nonregenerative anemias. Nandrolone, Stanozalol are producys that are available to be given by oral route.
Commercial available Hematinics: Feritas
