Iron Dextran

Iron dextran is a parenteral iron complex used for prevention or treatment of iron deficiency. Its best-established veterinary application is neonatal piglet supplementation, where low initial iron stores and rapid growth create a predictable deficit. Selected companion-animal applications involve replacement in confirmed iron-deficiency anemia.

Group

Parenteral iron supplement

Mechanism of Action

Iron dextran is processed by reticuloendothelial cells, which release iron from the carbohydrate complex. Iron enters transport and storage pools and is delivered to developing erythrocytes for hemoglobin synthesis. Replenishment of a deficient supply supports production of adequately hemoglobinized red cells and restores tissue iron needed for oxygen handling and iron-dependent enzymes.

Dose Rates

Dogs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Iron-deficiency anemia	10–20 mg/kg	IM	Once	One injection followed by oral ferrous sulfate when indicated. Elemental iron basis.

Cats

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Iron-deficiency anemia	50 mg/animal	IM	Every 504–672 h	Elemental iron; reassess deficiency before repeated injections.
Iron support during erythropoietin therapy	10 mg/kg	IM	Every 504–672 h	Elemental iron; assess iron deficiency and CBC response. Alternative to the fixed 50 mg regimen, not additional treatment.

Pigs

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Neonatal iron-deficiency prevention	100 mg/animal	IM	Once	Piglets 2–4 days old; the listed course may be repeated once 10 days later. Elemental iron.
Alternative neonatal iron-deficiency prevention	200 mg/animal	IM	Once	Alternative course for piglets 1–3 days old; do not add to the 100 mg course. Elemental iron.
Alternative 100 mg neonatal prevention course	100 mg/animal	IM	Once	Piglets 2–4 days old; this formulation-specific course allows one repeat after 14–21 days. Do not merge with the separate 10-day repeat course.

Ferrets

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Iron-deficiency anemia	10 mg/kg	IM	Every 168 h	Elemental iron; assess deficiency before repeated dosing.

Birds

Use / stage	Dose	Route	Schedule	Instructions
Iron-deficiency anemia or hemorrhage	10 mg/kg	IM	Once	Elemental iron; repeat after 7–10 days only if PCV has not normalized.
Alternative weekly iron replacement	10 mg/kg	IM	Every 168 h	Elemental iron; confirm deficiency and follow PCV.

Indications

Prevention and treatment of iron-deficiency anemia in neonatal piglets using a corresponding veterinary product.
Replacement of confirmed iron deficiency in dogs, cats or other veterinary patients when parenteral supplementation is appropriate.
Iron replacement in selected iron-deficient patients receiving erythropoiesis-stimulating treatment, including some cats with chronic kidney disease.

Contraindications

Iron overload
Anemia without iron deficiency
Prior serious reaction to iron dextran
Acute renal infection
Concurrent oral iron during the parenteral treatment phase

Interactions

Avoid unplanned concurrent parenteral iron or repeated dosing without considering total iron exposure.
Chloramphenicol can delay hematologic response.
Do not admix with oxytetracycline HCl or sulfadiazine sodium.

Adverse effects

Anaphylactoid reaction
Myositis or muscle weakness
Injection-site reaction

Toxicity

Excess iron can cause severe systemic injury. Stop dosing and manage shock or iron intoxication as appropriate.

Preparations

Preparation	Form	Strength	Route
Iron dextran injection 100 mg elemental iron/mL Elemental iron content, not total mass of the dextran complex. Product must be intended for IM administration.	Injection	100 mg / mL	IM
Iron dextran injection 200 mg elemental iron/mL Elemental iron content, not total mass of the dextran complex. Product must be intended for IM administration.	Injection	200 mg / mL	IM
Iron dextran injection 50 mg elemental iron/mL Elemental iron content as dextran; not the 100 or 200 mg/mL piglet preparation.	Injection	50 mg / mL	IM

Monitoring and Administration

Measure CBC and assess iron status; distinguish blood loss and iron deficiency from other causes of anemia.

All doses and strengths in this entry refer to elemental iron supplied as iron dextran.

For piglets, inject into the specified muscle site with clean technique. Iron dextran can discolor serum and interfere with bilirubin and calcium measurements. Do not freeze or mix with other solutions.

Piglets from vitamin E/selenium-deficient sows may develop severe acute reactions or sudden death after injection. IM use after 4 weeks of age can stain muscle.

Serum iron may be difficult to interpret for up to 3 weeks after a large injection. Avoid simultaneous oral iron; oral follow-on therapy is a separate phase.

The described 50 mg injection in 18-day-old kittens lacks an administration route and remains a narrative neonatal example.