Water-soluble globulin concentrate for improving growth in animals

Abstract

A water soluble globulin concentrate is described. The globulin concentrate is administered through the animals' water supply and is effective in increasing growth and weight gain in animals. The concentrate is especially effective in reducing morbidity in underweight, stressed pigs, post-weaning.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A supplement for animals comprising: 
 a water miscible and stable globulin concentrate based on animal plasma, said globulin concentrate containing at lest 15% by weight IgG.    
     
     
         3 . A supplement according to  claim 1  wherein the concentrate is contained in a water-based solution.  
     
     
         3 . A supplement according to claim  2  wherein the concentrate does not gel, clot or precipitate in the water.  
     
     
         4 . A supplement according to  claim 1  which is a dried powder.  
     
     
         5 . A supplement according to  claim 1  which is substantially purified.  
     
     
         6 . A supplement for animals comprising: 
 water; and    the water stable globulin concentrate of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         7 . A supplement according to  claim 6  wherein the globulin concentrate is present in a concentration of at least 0.1% by weight.  
     
     
         8 . A supplement according to  claim 6  which is substantially purified.  
     
     
         9 . A method of improving weight gain and growth, while decreasing morbidity and mortality in animals comprising: 
 administering a supplement to an animal post-weaning through the animal's water source, said supplement comprising the water stable globulin concentrate of  claim 1 .    
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the supplement comprises at least 15% IgG.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the supplement is administered to an animal selected from the group consisting of a pig, a cow, and a chicken.  
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11  wherein the supplement is administered to a pig.  
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 12  wherein the pig is underweight.  
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the water stable globulin concentrate is dispersed in the water in a concentration of from about 0.375 to about 3.0% by weight.  
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 14  wherein the concentration of IgG in the water is from about 0.1-0.75% by weight.  
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the globulin concentrate is administered in a dose of 0.5 g immunoglobulin/hd/day or more.  
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the globulin concentrate is administered with one or more additives or nutrients selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17  wherein the additives are water soluble.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein the globulin concentrate is administered to young pigs that have not yet begun to consume feed.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19  wherein the globulin concentrate is administed to the animal by placing it in the animal's water system via a stock solution and a liquid dispenser.  
     
     
         21 . A method of improving weight gain and growth, while decreasing morbidity and mortality in pigs comprising: 
 administering a supplement to a pig post-weaning through the pig's water source, said supplement comprising the water stable globulin concentrate of  claim 1 , and further providing that said supplement comprises at least 15% IgG.