Flood recovery vet says now isn't the time for finger pointing

Four horses patiently stand waiting to see the vet but it's not a typical visit.

These four patients have 'massive skin sloughing on their legs' as they have been standing in floodwater for days.

They have got vascular issues and maceration of the skin.

This means the dead skin, similar to that of a burn, has to be removed, cleaned and medicated so they can recover.

But it will be a slow road to recovery, taking weeks to heal.

There are many horses in the same position, others that have respiratory issues and eye ulcers or have not been found at all in this flood event.

There are more than 300 head of cattle along Maria River Road between Crescent Head and Port Macquarie that have died, or have to be euthanised by government agencies.

As vet Heather Walker from Crescent Head Veterinary Hospital stands on the highest point of a property - that just days ago was surrounded by floodwater - she reflects on the last week.

And she breaks down in tears.

"I'm getting emotional because this is my community and the livestock losses have been massive," Ms Walker openly sobs.

"I like to think I'm resilient to most things in this trade but there are things I've seen that are horrible, I've never seen anything like this.

"This is my community and I feel responsible, I felt like it was my job to do what I can.

"These are my friends, my clients, people I know who have banded together to get through this.

"I'm so proud of my community, I feel trauma bonded to the village more than ever before."

Ms Walker has worked around the clock jumping in boats or army trucks to get supplies and fodder to stranded people.

Or she has spent hours on the phone liaising with property owners, truck drivers, government agencies just to get the help her community needs.

"Everyone is jumping as quick as they can...people are on their farms wondering where they can put their cows whether it's swimming them, walking them or trucking them out," she said.

But she said there was still more that needed to be done.

While government agencies have organised fodder drops, Ms Walker said they needed more livestock medical supplies.

"Up until now I have used what I have and have been going through the usual supply chain to get things in,' she said.

"We are in the process of getting donated medication that are specific to our needs.

'We will still need more in the weeks ahead."

She has also been linking property owners with agistment.

"Anyone who is on the ground in the community in any capacity whether they can drive a truck or in my case are a vet are using their contacts to fill the gaps," she sad.

"There is always going to be a time lag when those bigger services come in and get rolling."

But in the meantime she will continue to do what she has been doing since it all began on March 19.

"I haven't done anymore than anyone else, I've just done what I can," she said.

"In a situation like this everyone is pressured and upset, there has been a lot of finger pointing as to why people didn't get cattle out or why government agencies haven't landed earlier.

"But there is no time for finger pointing.

"The time now is to get on with the job and when that's done learn from that about what we could have done better next time."

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