North Queensland vets are warning farmers and pet owners to check animals for signs of illness and disease in the aftermath of this week's flooding rains.
Mackay-based veterinarian David Lemmon said skin-related conditions as a result of exposure to the wet weather were the biggest concern.
"We're seeing all exposure-type things with the horses and the cattle," Dr Lemmon said.
"The big things [are] rain scald in horses, dermatitis and infected feet in the horses and the dogs.
"As soon as the rain clears and the sun comes out, we're going to have some really severe skin diseases in horses."
He said some conditions could take months to heal and if left untreated, expenses could run into the thousands of dollars for owners
At Clermont, nearly 300 kilometres south-west of Mackay, vet Caitlyn Mittelstadt said recent "heavy, pelting rain" could cause painful skin conditions for exposed animals.
Dr Mittelstadt said the number of animals needing treatment for issues caused by the wet conditions had already increased.
"We're seeing mostly a lot of foot problems with the horses," she said.
"Their hooves get very soft when they're standing around in the mud and become very susceptible to bruising."
How to protect your animals
Dr Mittelstadt said once the rain had cleared, it was important for animal owners to remain vigilant and continue to check the animals for any deterioration.
"I do think people get a little bit complacent when it's all done and dusted," she said.
"Look into your animals, really give them a look over [because] I think things are missed by not looking."
She said having a plan in place would mitigate issues ahead of the next wet weather event.
"Whether you need to find higher ground for the cattle, whether you need to put the horses on a softer pasture and not put them on the rocks for the time being, or whether you need to just keep the dogs out of the rain for a little bit."
Dr Lemmon said where skin conditions have developed, zinc-based products could be helpful.
"Zinc-based creams are very valuable in helping soothe and heal the rain scald and for any sort of dermatitis in horses and dogs," the vet said.
"But what I advise against is using the human, zinc-based sun creams because the dogs lick them and it can make them a bit nauseous."
Dr Lemmon said domestic and working dogs were at a higher risk of health issues after relentless downpours.
"Nature has sort of prepared [horses and cattle] more for the elements, so the hides and the skin is much more resistant to the water effects."
He said the simplest way to protect dogs in wet weather was to keep them inside.
"They love being with us and certainly out of the weather."
'Be alert and prevent'
Christina della Valle is a beefalo and heritage pig producer who also runs an animal rescue on her Proserpine-based property.
Ms della Valle said zinc-based products have been helpful for animals that had developed skin ailments.
"It's a bit like humans, you'll go and get exposed to the sun, you put some zinc on and that should be OK."
Ultimately she said prevention and planning ahead of weather events had been key to protecting her animals.
"Knowing that you live in an area where we have extreme weather events, you need to be alert and prevent, rather than trying then to fix, a problem," she said.
"When I saw the weather forecast, I put the [beefalo] in a paddock where they have a big hill so they can keep their feet dry and the pigs have shelters as well."
