Queensland Floods: Veterinary practices lend a helping hand

Four veterinary practices across Queensland have stepped up as distribution centres to support recovery and livestock relief efforts during the ongoing floods in south west Queensland. 

Dr Libby Harriman of Great Artesian Veterinary Surgery, who also assisted during the 2019 floods, says the need for support is far from over. 

“I think it's amazing this time how much support from the wider vet community there has been,” she said. 

“Dr Stacey Rae, the Australian Cattle Veterinarians (ACV) President, has been very heavily involved in the relief efforts, and actually went out there personally to be boots on the ground, which made a big difference. The south west is so isolated vet-wise and there's quite a lot of other cattle vets that have jumped on board and offered support and help." 

As a mixed-practice veterinarian and licensed pilot, Dr Harriman is uniquely positioned to access remote areas as needs continue to arise. 

She is working alongside teams from Charleville Vet Surgery, Meliora Veterinary Services, Longreach Veterinary Service, and her own clinic, Great Artesian Veterinary Surgery - with all veterinarians generously volunteering their time and services to assist in the flood response. 

“We're working together and supporting each other, which is so important, and keeping things going. 

“I think everybody feels a little bit more aware as a wider community this time, whether we can still remember 2019, I definitely haven't forgotten it.” 

Donations have been coming in from both small and large companies across the country. 

“Zoetis donated $10,000 worth of product to the 4 distribution centres, and from that we could buy antibiotics and eye creams and pain relief. We've also received meloxicam, wound cleaning items, and pain relief from Troy. So that's been very, very gratefully received.” Donations have also been received from MSD/ Coopers, Dechra,Boehringer, Sykes and Pharmachem. 

As affected graziers prepare to assess stock losses and damaged infrastructure, Libby notes that in 2019 it took over 12 months for northern producers to return to a semblance of normalcy. 

“In the next couple of weeks, we'll reach the peak of demand, and then we're going to move into recovery phase. It's going to be a long road for the producers down there. That water doesn't move very fast in the south west,” she said. 

“In 2019 we saw lots of wieners with pneumonia and rain scald, fly problems, and ulcers. Those sorts of conditions can take a little bit longer to develop and producers need to get to a point where they can assess the cattle and then get them somewhere where they can be treated. The blessing from this event compared to 2019 is it hasn't been as cold, so we’re not seeing as much exposure-type illnesses.” 

To support the flood response, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is coordinating the Queensland Flood Veterinarians Hotline, providing advice and assistance to veterinarians and graziers affected by the disaster. 

QLD Floods Veterinarians Hotline - 1800 621 918 

AVA Senior Advocacy Officer, Liz Gemes Liz.Gemes@ava.com.au 0481 373 330