Leeds vet issues warning after bird is trapped inside feeder

The veterinary team at Beechwood Vets managed to save the life of a bird that was brought into its Garforth branch after becoming stuck inside a bird feeder.

Vet Nadine Lightbody freed the bird during a delicate procedure and it was returned to the garden where it was found, before it flew away.

Nadine said: “The bird was very distressed so we gave it some anaesthetic gas to calm it down and managed to free its wings which were trapped in the cage of the bird

feeder.

“The bird had no further injuries other than slight bruising to its wings and it was released back into the garden where it was first found.

“This type of case is more common in the summer months where birds have returned from migration and are looking for food. “My advice to members of the public would be to regularly check that bird feeders are

not broken or damaged and if you see any birds caught, take it straight to the vets rather than trying to remove it yourself as this could cause further injury.”

Beechwood Vets, which has four surgeries across Leeds, is urging pet owners and animal lovers to be vigilant about the hazards facing pets and wildlife during the

summer.

Temperatures are rising and summer is just around the corner, but while hot weather is great news for humans, it can be uncomfortable and unhealthy for pets.

In some cases, heat can be deadly for pets, so owners need to be extra vigilant when temperatures soar.

Excessive panting, anxious pacing or, in severe cases, collapsing or convulsing can be signs that your pet could be suffering from heat stroke and you should contact your

vet immediately.

Beechwood Vets expects to see an increase in the number of pets coming into its surgery with heat-related symptoms and they are urging owners never to leave pets unattended in cars.

Vets are also warning owners to be cautious when having a barbecue, which can be dangerous to pets.

Dogs should never be left unattended near a hot barbecue in case they jump up to steal food and other common reasons for a trip to the vet include dogs suffering injuries from swallowing skewers or becoming ill by eating food that is poisonous to pets or high in fat.