Flood and Storm
Resources for Veterinarians
During and following a flood event livestock are at risks of a range of disease conditions including but not limited to yersiniosis (flood mud scours), mastitis, plant toxicities, and vector transmitted diseases. Below provides links to information and advice for the treatment of flood affected animals:
Equine
- A webinar recording Veterinary Management of Flood Rescue and Flood Injuries in Horsesby EVA Member Dr Olivia James.
- A US reference article Flood Injuries In Horsesby Dr Rebecca McConnico from Veterinary Clinics.
- A client fact sheet on Managing Horses in Floodsfrom longstanding EVA Member Dr John Kohnke.
- A Client Advice Sheet on Preparing Horses for Severe Wet Weatherprepared by longstanding EVA Member Dr Bruce Pott.
- Immersion Foot Syndrome in 6 Equids Exposed to Hurricane Floodwaters - link
Sheep, Camelid, and Goat
- Camelid care after floods- Dr Jane Vaughan
- Goats and floods factsheet- Dr Sandra Baxendell
Cattle
- Caring for livestock in time of flood (NSW)
- Livestock diseases following floods (QLD)
- What to do after a flood (VIC)
Mosquito Warning: In flooding, mosquito populations can significantly increase. Veterinarians need to be vigilant in protecting themselves from mosquito bites to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne viruses such as Japanese encephalitis virus or Ross River virus. NSW Health provides information about mosquito control during floods.
Resources for the community
- NSW ‘Get Ready Animals’ Videos:
- Get Ready Animals-NSW SES
- 30 secs
- Animals being rescued by SES ie. horses and goats
- Message: SES sees animals get into trouble. Animals rely on us to be safe.
- Get Ready Animals-Horse owners: what’s your flood plan?
- 43 secs
- Horses
- Message: People delay leaving because they haven’t planned for what they will do with their animals. If have a horse and live on floodplain, you need a plan.
- Get Ready Animals-preparing for floods
- 38 secs
- Cattle, goats
- Message: Flood can come anytime, next 10 years or next week. If you live in floodplain, you need a plan
- How will you keep your animals safe in a flood?
- 27 mins
- All animals
- Messages:
- Animals rely on us
- Make a plan, need to know ahead of time
- Can’t expect them to behave the way you think
- Need to think about where you will go
- Moving multiple animals, do it ahead of time
- Vic
- Floods and storms information
- Tas
- QLD