Reptile & Amphibian Forums

the place I got Erowen from, I was there today trying to find a home for my cat (another long story)
the Reptile manager told me tyhey had a MHD in, but he did not think it would live, that they had ordered 2, and one arrived dead, and the other did not look good
after letting the kids hold the gekos, he took me back to see this dragon he had. It looked BAD, dry, and subdued, but with good color
they had about 6 crickets in the tank with him (it looked male, from what I learned on Froggie B site) and they said he ate the first half dozen they put in, so they threw in another dozen of smaller ones. (ate 10 or more, not bad)my buddy B also took out the water because there was stool in it, and he asked MY opinion about the stool (it was grey streaked, not brown) I said I was not sure, but it did not look normal to me. I asked him is he had fed him any earthworms, and he told me he did not know that they are worms of any kind, but turned right around to the fridge and grabbed a bin and handed it to me.
When the dragon slurped down the first worm he actually yelled #0lY $#!T, then apologized.
we waited about 5 min, then put 2 more in the tank, in a feed dish.
I told him what I knew from here, and he said he was already misting a few times a day and keeping the substrate damp (humidity was about 65%)
he also mentioned that he had sent one of the people that works there to Barnes and Nobel for a copy for the reptile magazine that had the article on MHDs in it.
I felt proud to say I learned all I know from the woman who wrote that article.
we left and went on about our busness, and I stopped in after we had dinner, and looke din on him (they are keeping him in the back, away from the customers (except me)
He looks better, more filled in, and golor is richer, and not darker, and the worms I left with him were no longer there.
He looks to be full grown, neck spikes are long, and brightly colored, but horns are gone, and mostly healed over.
From what I told B and what he read in your article Marcia, he is DEMANDING the animal be taken to the vet for Parasite treatment.
I hope it happens, this animal looks so sweet
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

Kudos for a job well done! It is always encouraging to hear of apet store that is willing to learn about, and care properly for, the animals they sell. That is a lot of the reason that I wrote the article. I don't know that it is in the book stores yet though as it is the October issue. I have lost touch with release dates since I am here in the boonies of South Dakota! LOL!

Anyway, I am glad to hear that at least one dragon is getting the proper care before going to someone's home. That's the way I think it should be. They won't/can't sell cats and dogs without them having all of their vacinations and proper worming. It should be the same with all animals, birds, reptiles or whatever.

Thanks for doing your part.

Marcia

I spent over 10 yrs. in the pet industry. This store is to be commended for thier efforts. Please give thier name out, so that they may get the reward for thier efforts.
I just finished reading the article. It was great.

the guys name is Brian who takes care of the Reptiles, as well as the fish
he is very good with my kids, and lets them be handled if and ONLY if he thinks the animal and the kid are appropriate together
always remembers to ask about clean hands

When I got Erowen I took her to a Vet near me, who treated her for Parasites with Panfor and Flagyl, and recomended I treat for Mites (the week I got her) but did not give me a good feeling about him over all (told my daughter that a Ball Python was to vicious for her to keep)
when I told Brian that Erowen had mites, his whole face fell (he looked ill), he did not protest, but when we were back the next time (a couple days later) the reptiles all had new setups in their tanks, I thought he had had the cages cleaned really well)
He openly complains that his store does not carry products he prefers to use, and will recomend another store (in a sideways manor) if you need something he does not have.

He seems to not have a lot of pull from where he orders from, but he has not put animals out before they have been well enough, and even though Aragorn is looking a LOT better (I saw him on Sunday, and yes, I have named him) and even Brian says he looks better, he is still going to the Vet before he goes out on the floor (stool is still grey striped in color, and this guy is soaking his Butt a LOT)

any more ???
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*

It seems that there are a few good people who will take the time to become educated in spite of inadequate training on the stores part. I have seen a few too. Petco and PetsMart both get a pretty good flaming on most of the forums here, often well deserved, but there are exceptions out there and I think it is the employee who really loves what he is doing that makes that kind of difference! There is a Petco in Omaha NE that also has a great herper as the reptile dept manager. Then there's the Petco in Sioux Falls SD where I stopped in and saw an MHD in deplorable conditions. I got a caresheet from my truck, I was on the way home from a show, and gave it to the employee on duty that day. It was obvious that he read it as when I checked in on my next visit to Sioux Falls the MHD was in a much better habitat and looked much more content.

So, I don't think its entirely the pet stores or their employees who can make a difference. Rather we as guardians of the animals we love need to take the time to help educate and give guidance to those who are less knowledgeable than ourselves.

Kudos to all whom tries to make that difference!

Marcia

I couldn't agree more. I have been saying for years that we should step up snd help out.

Elizabeth,it is quite odd you posted that message att eh same time the same exact situation happene din our store this week. We ordered two MHD,and one arrived dead. The other was looking okay and gobbled down 10 crix and a few earthworms. About 2 hour slater he was dead. We sent his corpse back, i have no idea what happened, but hopefulyl theyll tell us. Just thought it was rather ironic,and when i started reading your post i thought you meant my store.(Pets Plus)

nope, this is out the OTHER way
I M sorry neither of yours survived, Aragorn looked REALLY good last time I looked in on him
he may be ready for sale this week, he looked BAD that first day
I M glad I could do anything to help him live a bit better
and if you ever want me to come look at any you get in, let me know.
I M no expert, but I have learned a lot from FroggieB
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Elizabeth (ecb)

Make this world a better and more beautiful place that You have been in it
*Edward W Bok*