Dr Stephen Deist among vets saving livestock in NSW floods

“It’s devastating to see so many dead animals”. A team of Coffs Harbour vets have boarded helicopters to find stranded livestock and save them from flood water.

A team of vets from Coffs Harbour has embarked on a heartbreaking rescue mission to save flood-affected livestock.

The operation included medical treatment and rescuing animals from stranded islands as well as providing food.

Dr Stephen Deist said the team had been strong through an emotionally taxing time.

“They are tired and sad and emotional,” he said.

A GoFundMe page has been set up, to finance purchasing and distribution of fodder, veterinary pharmaceuticals, field equipment, yarding and transport.

A team of vets assisting livestock included Dr Stephen Deist, Lara Johnston, Adrian Roots, Glen Whatmore, Sean Headland, Mawgan Peterson, Dr Bruno Ross, Essie Hamilton, Dr Joe Weir and Corrine. Picture: Pacific Vetcare.

He said it was shocking to witness what people and animals had been through.

“It’s way worse on ground level,” he said.

“When you see the dead cattle on the side of rivers and in the trees, it’s a big shock.

“You get tears in your eyes.

“But the people have been so grateful.”

He said he was grateful for the team around him.

He said they had been tending to calls from desperate farmers since flood water had receded.

Dr Stephen Deist has played a vital role in caring and healing injured livestock since the floods. Picture: Pacific Vetcare.

“These animals have been standing or swimming in flood water for weeks with massive cuts down their legs,” he said.

“Their legs are like tree trunks.”

His team’s mission is to treat the ones that survived and prevent infection and sepsis by providing antibiotics.

“They all get pneumonia,” he said.

“The air is foul from rotting soil and dead animals.

“It’s not great.”

Dr Deist said these ponies had been stuck in a truck for five days when he got to them and they survived after he treated them for swollen legs and pneumonia. Picture: Stephen Deist.

He said there was a desperate need for carcass recovery to prevent infected waters.

“This is on a massive scale,” he said.

“It’s devastating to see so many dead animals.”

Dr Deist said money already raised had funded helicopter missions to map stock locations, allowing them to undertake surveillance on previously found cattle and horses to administer treatment.

A mare that had been cut off by flood water was able to be reached with a helicopter food drop before being collected a day later when water receded. Picture: Stephen Deist

The team are now focusing on the immediate treatment of injured animals.

Three major veterinary clinics in Lismore were completely destroyed including their vital supplies, equipment and machinery.

Cattle and horses remain stranded on mud islands or in floodwaters with injuries and infections, with many still missing.