EN
The aim of the study was to evaluate the usefulness of the reticulocyte indices in the diagnosis of anaemia in piglets. The piglets in group I (n=16) were treated with iron dextran (200 mg of Fe, i.m.) at the age of 16 d. In group II (n=16), piglets at the age of 3 d received 100 mg of Fe and then at the age of 22 d - 200 mg of Fe. The piglets in group III (n=16) received 200 mg of Fe at the age of 3 d. From the 7 d of age, all the piglets had access to creep feed. In group I, there was a decrease in red blood cell indices and the piglets developed anaemia. These piglets had a lower growth intensity compared to piglets of groups II and III. In comparison with Hb, PCV, and RBC, the reticulocyte indices (haemoglobin concentration in reticulocyte and index RET-Y) reflexed more rapidly impaired erythropoiesis and in the case of mild iron deficiency (group II) they reacted more effectively to iron treatment.