Proso millet (Panicum miliaceum) poisoning in Iranian fat-tailed sheep

An outbreak of hepatogenous photosensitization and jaundice occurred in a flock of 253 fat-tailed sheep grazing pasture of proso millet ( Panicum miliaceum ) in Iran. Eighty three animals were clinically diagnosed intoxicated and 41 were found dead and locally grown proso millet was implicated as the cause. The diagnosis of toxicosis was based on clinical signs as well as laboratory and pathological findings. Clinical signs including increase of heart rate (99 bpm), respiratory rate (55 breaths/min) and temperature (40.4°C), photosensitization, severe head swelling, decreasing appetite, and severe icterus in mucosal membranes were observed about 20 days after grazing pastures of millet. Serum biochemical parameters were analyzed through standard biochemical techniques on blood samples collected from 27 intoxicated sheep as well as ten clinically healthy sheep as control group. Serum biochemistry suggested hepatobiliary and hepatoparenchymal damage with impaired renal function. Laboratory findings indicated significant ( P