Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm going to have to get photos of this. I'm baby sitting 1 map & 1 RES turtle, both are about 1 year old, both have SCUD.
The teenager who works with me every June when we teach Kid's College is the owner of these 2 turtles, his parents bought them for him at a mall kiosk in another town. They were obviously sick already but the parents didn't know that.
He had to go on vacation with his family but he didn't have anyone who could keep them and make sure they get their medication that the vet prescribed so he asked me to sit for them.
I'm going to be doing the prescribed treatments for these guys for the next 2 weeks, I hope they do ok. The map's shell is almost completely white, the RES only has white splotches. They look awful so that's why I need to get photos.
This looks like it's been going on for way too long, I hope they don't die while they're in my care.. at least we use the same vet so if I see them getting any worse, I can call & get them in right away.
You know what really ticks me off is they were sold at a mall kiosk at less than 4 inches, they were sick, & it's just such a crying shame the seller got away with this!
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PHRatz

>>You know what really ticks me off is they were sold at a mall kiosk at less than 4 inches, they were sick, & it's just such a crying shame the seller got away with this!
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>>PHRatz

Get the local authority that deals with animal issues to pay a surprise inspection of the mall
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PHWyvern

>
>>Get the local authority that deals with animal issues to pay a surprise inspection of the mall

Actually they came from the mall in the town where our old friend Doug now lives. The kid who owns these turtles did call or had his parents call the game warden, I'm not sure who made the call but it was reported. Doug told me a few months ago that he has had dealings with people who've bought turtles from this seller.. I just don't know what's happened since all this reporting went on, I'll see what I can find out.
In the mean time these poor little turtles look pathetic, I hope they live through all this. Right now, they aren't eating for me so I may have to call our vet before the kid comes back from vacation.
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PHRatz

btw it wouldn't surprise me at all if after all this was reported that nothing was done.
That's generally the way it goes in this region, you report to the game warden, nothing happens.
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PHRatz

>>btw it wouldn't surprise me at all if after all this was reported that nothing was done.
>>That's generally the way it goes in this region, you report to the game warden, nothing happens.
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>>PHRatz

If the people making the reports are very clearly telling the game wardens that this is a Federal regulation being violated then I'd say they'd probably get more of a reaction out of them. I'd also say maybe going so far as to reporting the vendor to the people who lease out those kiosks to vendors at the mall directly and telling them that the guy is in violation of Federal laws. I doubt they'd approve of possibly having the feds come down on them since they are in effect helping to allow it to occur by letting the guy sell the undersized turtles to begin with. The 4-inch law is not something they can really ignore. Since it is a federal law...all state's must abide by/enforce it..state law can be more restrictive than federal law if they want to be, but they can't be less restrictive or ignore it outright.
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PHWyvern

When the kid gets back I'll grill him about it to find out exactly what they did about this.
I'm pretty curious to know what he'll have to say about it.
I have a feeling it's one of those deals where the vendor is selling cheap plastic bowl set ups then throws in the turtle hatchling for free.. they can get away with it if they do it that way.

Yesterday the RES finally seemed to be feeling better & did eat for me. He/she was much more active & fighting me over the meds, that's always a good sign.
The poor little map is still not looking too good but the map looks worse in the first place.
I took some pics, I need to get them uploaded.
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PHRatz

The map looks really bad!

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PHRatz

I emailed a friend in that town who said the vendor is getting away with it because of the usual loopholes such as selling them for educational purposes. That is such a thinly veiled slice of baloney.. I don't see why it's allowed but it is.

I really doubt that anything will ever be done to put a stop to this.
These 2 I'm sitting for are going in to the vet for a check up today. The RES is doing extremely well, the map isn't.
I think the vet may implant a feeding tube today.. something will have to be done because this one doesn't want to eat.
We'll see what happens...
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PHRatz

>>I emailed a friend in that town who said the vendor is getting away with it because of the usual loopholes such as selling them for educational purposes. That is such a thinly veiled slice of baloney.. I don't see why it's allowed but it is.
>>

If they were to have read the federal regulations they clearly state that selling turtles under 4 inches for the pupose of keeping as a personal pet is NOT considered 'for educational purpose' Educational purpose is like selling to a zoo, nature center, laboratory, school, etc. where you are dealing with a facility/organization.
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PHWyvern

>>If they were to have read the federal regulations they clearly state that selling turtles under 4 inches for the pupose of keeping as a personal pet is NOT considered 'for educational purpose' Educational purpose is like selling to a zoo, nature center, laboratory, school, etc. where you are dealing with a facility/organization.

Exactly! Educational means some sort of institution that is educational in some way. People shopping at the mall aren't the crowd I have in mind when I think of a facility of some sort.
A hatchling pet turtle is not for educational purposes so why would the state take that lame excuse then allow this to go on?
Yesterday while talking to the vet I brought this up with her, she said they're just too lax with the rules .. if you can't get the authorities who are supposed to take care of these things to actually take care of it, then what do you do?
Our friend from the zoo said he's going to make a few phone calls about this to see if he can light a fire under the authorities behinds. I'll bet he'll be wasting his breath.

Meanwhile the vet said she sees great improvement in these two turtles. After seeing her & hearing what she had to say about them I think now that they're going to live as long as treatment continues until she gives the all clear.
I called the owner to let him know I was going to go ahead & take them in for their check up, and I told him what she might do. I was given permission to allow the vet to do whatever she thinks is needed. I was really glad to know the person I am sitting for is willing to go the distance with these little guys. With that attitude & the vet treatment they have a really good shot at making it now.
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PHRatz