Queensland Flooding – veterinary supports and resources available

31 Mar 2025

The floods across Queensland have had an enormous impact on the community, particularly in primary production areas with significant impacts on cattle, sheep and goats. The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is working to assist veterinary practices and primary producers as they respond and recover from this flooding disaster.

QLD Floods Veterinary Hotline - 1800 621 918

The AVA is coordinating the veterinary hotline number to provide support and advice to veterinarians assisting in the flood response and to affected graziers. This is manned by volunteer veterinary practices who are members of the AVA and are also experienced cattle veterinarians.  Affected graziers can receive support, general advice and referral to their nearest veterinary clinic if this is necessary for further treatment.

Veterinary Supplies Distribution Centres and Farm Deliveries

As part of the ongoing Queensland flood response, 4 veterinary practices have been identified as key distribution centres for veterinary and animal welfare supplies. These practices are playing a critical role in supporting flood-impacted farms, helping to ensure essential supplies reach the animals impacted by the flooding.

Supplies, including emergency veterinary items and animal welfare goods, are being coordinated through the Veterinary Hotline, the 4 Veterinary Practices Distribution Centres, and local Councils to deliver supplies directly to farms as part of the Agricultural Disaster Response program. This is in addition to the delivery of fodder and other emergency provisions already underway.

If medications, supplies and prescriptions are required the QLD Floods Veterinary Hotline will direct graziers to the Distribution Centres across the regions. Organising prescriptions/supplies through the veterinary practices (below), graziers can then contact Council and request transportation - air freight could be arranged with groceries/any other urgent supplies being delivered.

For assistance from the 4 veterinary practices distribution centres, please contact:

  • Charleville Vet Surgery, 32057 Mitchell Highway, Charleville Ph: 07 46542605
  • Great Artesian Veterinary Surgery, Winton clinic, 15 Oondooroo St Winton Ph: 07 4741 1223
  • Meliora Veterinary Services, 2 Teal Street, Longreach Ph: 0429 957 538
  • Longreach Veterinary Service, 107 Maggie Lane, Longreach Ph: 07 4658 3838

Our sincere thanks go to the veterinary teams and QLD Local & State Governments working tirelessly to support animal health and welfare during this significant flooding disaster.

AVA Veterinarians Point of Contact for QLD Floods

The AVA has appointed a dedicated Point of Contact to strengthen communication between veterinarians and the Queensland disaster response teams. This role supports:
• The distribution of critical information to veterinarians, and
• A direct pathway for veterinarians to report emerging issues to government.

Veterinarians are encouraged to reach out to the AVA with any concerns, feedback, or requests for support relating to disaster response and recovery efforts.

Please contact Liz Gemes, AVA Senior Advocacy Officer at 0481 373 330 or liz.gemes@ava.com.au

Resources for veterinarians 

Welfare calls and counselling support

AVA Member Services are here to support members and will be in contact with members affected by the flooding.  

Member Services: members@ava.com.au or telephone 1300 137 309 (8.30am – 5pm AEDT weekdays)

Additionally, the AVA’s free and confidential telephone counselling service can be accessed by AVA members and their immediate families, along with any veterinary professionals that work for an AVA member vet – even if they are not members themselves. 

The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is run by Converge International, Australia’s largest workplace mental health provider. 

The counselling service is completely confidential. To access the AVA’s telephone counselling service, call 1300 687 327 or visit this link for further information

Queensland Flooding Flyer for Farmers
The AVA has developed a printable flyer to support farmers impacted by the recent Queensland floods. This resource brings together critical information, including veterinary support services, supply distribution centres, animal health risks, and contact details for emergency assistance.

Farmers can access details on the QLD Floods Veterinary Hotline, local veterinary supply centres, animal health guidance, and essential recovery support from state agencies.

The flyer is intended for printing and distribution via supply drops and farming networks, to help ensure this essential information reaches those who need it most during flood response and recovery efforts.

Download the Flyer here.

Information from the QLD Department of Primary Industries 

The Queensland Government is connecting and supporting primary producers impacted by recent flooding.

Information about impact survey, financial assistance, and other supports including like animal health, clean up and mental health is available here https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/alerts/west-qld-floods-agribusiness

QLD Government Disaster Impact Surveys - The feedback from the Surveys will help QLD Government understand what assistance Queensland businesses need after a disaster. Primary producers are asked to complete the survey to report any damages or losses to your farm.  These reports help determine if you will need extra support during recovery.

National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) – The QLD Department of Primary Industries are assisting primary producers trace livestock through brands ands the NLIS.

Emergency Animal Diseases (EAD) Hotline 1800 675 888 – Primary Producers are encouraged to look for signs of EAD in their livestock and report to their veterinarian. Further information is available here: www.daf.qld.gov.au/business-priorities/biosecurity

DPI Extension Staff - Extension Staff at DPI can support producers with farm enterprise decisions including nutrition, planning, pasture management and animal production. Resources and contact details are available at leadingsheep.com.au and futurebeef.com.au

QLD RSPCA Animal Emergency Hotline 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) 

The Public are encouraged to call 1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625) to report any sick or injured wildlife in need of assistance.

QLD Government Recovery Assistance
Personal hardship financial assistance is available for Queensland communities impacted by rainfall and flooding in Western Queensland, March 2025.

Please click here for further information about the grants that have been activated for this event https://www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/eligibility-apply/western-qld-rainfall-flooding-march-2025

Animal Health 

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, Vector Transmitted Diseases, Rain Scald, Pneumonia, Three-Day Sickness, Injuries/Soreness, Hoof Abscesses & Leptospirosis, Tetanus, Phycomycosis in horses, and many more.

Graziers are encouraged to inspect their livestock regularly and contact the QLD Floods Veterinary Hotline or their local veterinarian for assessment and support.

The AVA has a range of resources available for veterinarians and the community to assist in managing and treating animals impacted by flooding. These can be accessed at: www.ava.com.au/policy-advocacy/natural-disasters/flood-and-storm-resources/

Human Health

In flooding, mosquito populations can significantly increase. Veterinarians and the Community need to be vigilant in protecting themselves from mosquito bites to reduce their risk of mosquito-borne viruses such as Dengue, Barmah Forest virus, Japanese Encephalitis virus, Murray Valley Encephalitis or Ross River virus. People are advised to wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing that covers their arms, legs, and feet, and to apply mosquito repellent containing DEET or Picaridin.

Floodwater can be contaminated with sewage, animal waste and bacteria, posing risks of infections like skin infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, and more serious diseases such as melioidosis and leptospirosis. People should wear protective clothing and footwear during flood clean-up. Avoid walking through floodwater and mud, especially with open wounds. If unavoidable, cover wounds, use water-resistant footwear and protective gloves when handling flood-affected items.

Queensland Health provides further information on the health risks of floods www.health.qld.gov.au/

Emergency Contact Numbers  

Police, fire, ambulance: 000 

SES: 132 500 

Non urgent medical help: 13 43 25 84 

Non urgent police link: 13 14 44 

Energex: 13 19 62 

Ergon energy: 13 16 70 

Biosecurity Qld - stranded livestock: 13 25 23 

RSPCA QLD 24/7 animal emergency :1300 264 625