Effects of disinfection of the umbilical cord of piglets on healing and albumin levels

The objective was to assess the effects of using drying powder and iodine solution during navel cords disinfection handling on performance and blood variables (total protein, albumin, and globulin) in newborn piglets. Four treatments were used: (1) tie, cut, and iodine (TCI); (2) tie, cut, and spread drying powder (TCDP); (3) tie, cut, iodine, and drying powder (TCIDP); and (4) no navel cord handling (NNCH). There were five sow used and from each one, eight piglets were chosen within each parturition, with two piglets by treatment (one male and one female), totaling 10 repetitions per treatment. During the first, second, and third week from parturition the body weight gain, blood parameters (seric total proteins, albumin, and globulins), and navel healing score were assessed. Body weight gain and navel healing score were not different among treatments. Serum albumin had greater levels in TCDP compared with TCIDP and NNCH. Those results indicated no influence of different methods of disinfection of the navel on body weight gain, navel healing, and handling, but influences in serum albumin levels.