Livestock health after floods

Persistent wet conditions can soften hooves, increasing the risk of bruises, cuts and bacterial infections like Strawberry Footrot. This can cause pain, lameness and reduced mobility. 

To help reduce risk: 

• keep stock on dry ground if possible
• avoid overuse of muddy tracks or laneways
• introduce concentrate feeds slowly and ensure enough fibre is included. 

Check lame animals early and seek veterinary treatment. Only transport animals that are fit to load. 

Wet weather allows worm eggs and larvae to survive longer on pasture. This increases the risk of infection, especially in young or stressed cattle.

Common internal parasites after floods include:

• barber’s pole worm
• ostertagia
• cooperia
• lungworm
• liver fluke.

Symptoms include scouring, weight loss, poor growth and, in some cases, anaemia or respiratory problems.

To manage the risk:

• perform faecal or blood tests
• drench as needed, using products as directed
• consider lowering stocking rates to reduce contamination.

Leptospirosis is a serious bacterial infection that spreads in warm and wet conditions. It’s transmitted through urine, milk and placental fluid, and can infect animals and humans.

Signs in animals include:

• fever, depression and bloody urine in young cattle
• abortions, stillbirths or reduced fertility in adult stock.

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread to humans. In people, it causes flu-like symptoms that can become life-threatening.

Vaccinating with a 7-in-1 vaccine helps protect both animals and humans.

Bacteria in rotting animal and plant material causes botulism. Cattle may eat contaminated feed, bones or carcasses, often when trying to supplement phosphorus in their diet.

Signs include:

• drooling and paralysis of the tongue
• muscle weakness and inability to stand
• death due to respiratory failure within 1 to 2 days.

There is no treatment for botulism. Prevent access to carcasses, rotting vegetation and old silage. A standalone botulism vaccine is strongly recommended for all cattle in flood-affected areas.

Yersiniosis is a bacterial disease seen mostly in adult cattle during cool, wet conditions. It often develops when mud covers dry feed and cattle eat it.

Signs include:

• fever
• scouring
• animals found dead without warning.

To reduce the risk:

• move affected stock to clean paddocks
• feed in less muddy areas
• monitor cattle daily for early signs.

Early detection and veterinary treatment improve the chances of recovery.

Blackleg is a clostridial disease found in soil and is more common after floods. It mainly affects young cattle aged 4 months to 2 years.

Signs include:

• sudden death
• lameness and depression (if found alive).

In most cases, you will find affected animals dead. Vaccination is a highly effective way to prevent blackleg. Make sure cattle are up to date with their 5-in-1 vaccination.

Floods can increase the risk of mastitis in dairy herds due to: 

• muddy laneways and yards
• stress from weather and missed milkings
• reduced feed intake. 

To reduce the risk: 

• avoid using muddy tracks for milking cows
• keep yards clean and limit cows lying in wet areas
• clean and dry udders before applying cups
• maintain proper teat disinfection
• perform daily strip tests to detect early cases. 

Three day sickness is a viral infection spread by biting insects. It is more common in warm and wet conditions.

Signs include:

• fever
• muscle soreness
• lameness and inability to stand.

Most cattle recover within 3 days, but some may need nursing care. In severe cases, humane euthanasia may be necessary. Vaccination is available and provides good protection.

Pink eye is a bacterial infection of the eye, spread by flies and close contact between animals.

Flood conditions increase the risk because of:

• muddy paddocks
• higher fly populations
• close contact during yarding or transport.

Signs include:

• watery eyes
• cloudy or white corneas
• ulcerated lesions on the eye.

Treatment includes topical or injectable antibiotics. Vaccination is available and can help reduce spread. Handle animals calmly and avoid overcrowding to reduce risk.

Floods can lead to feed shortages and expose stock to toxic plants. Keep this in mind if you have to move animals to unfamiliar paddocks or flood reserves.

Common poisonous plants in NSW include:

• green cestrum
• bracken fern
• lantana
• smartweed
• Noogoora burr.

Rotting pasture or mouldy hay can also cause illness or death, including:

• bloat
• grass tetany
• nitrate or cyanide poisoning
• botulism.

To prevent poisoning:

• ensure enough feed is available
• avoid feeding spoiled hay
• watch for changes in behaviour or sudden deaths
• contact your local vet if you suspect poisoning.

Floods create breeding grounds for insects like:

• buffalo flies
• midges
• mosquitoes.

These pests cause irritation and stress, and can spread diseases such as:

• three day sickness
• pink eye
• other viral or bacterial infections.

Use both chemical and non-chemical controls to manage insect populations.