Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everybody. It's been a while since my last post...I admit, I've been a lurker. First and foremost, I would like to apologize to CheriS. A while back I got snappish with you on the issue of large chain stores. I'm sorry, you're right. Petsmart sucks...most chain stores really blow, for lack of a better term. I thought that by taking a job there and being fairly knowledgeable about a lot of reptiles and other animals that I could help but it sure doesn't feel like it. Everyday I see people drop off improperly cared for animals and I become more and more jaded.
Tonight I took home a dragon. A very very sick dragon that a lady dropped off. It came in a 10 gallon tank, with a stick and a light...not uvb, of course...just a regular basking light. The woman informed me that her husband had been feeding it crickets and pinkies....not a single salad...no supplements ever. This is the best..(serious sarcasm)...at 2 yrs old...it is much smaller than Gordo, my 6 mo. old. This is seriously the sickest animal I have ever seen. It is so skinny that you can see nearly every bone and so winkled from being dehydrated. Its eyes were glued shut..so I took a wet q-tip and went around the eyes but finally had to mist directly in the eyes...they opened..and guess what? It's blind too. Oh...it has mouth rot too...and probably MBD. I'm keeping him warm right now...it's the best I can do. I got him to drink a little with a syringe but I'm not even going to try to feed him since the lady told me she fed him a lot of crickets a couple days ago and didn't even have the light on him so I'm sure they're just rotting away in his stomach.
How can people be so stupid? How hard is it to go online and research BASIC care or pick up a book?!
Anyway...I'm making a vet appt tomorrow, but I doubt it will do any good. Sorry about the incredibly long post...I just needed to vent..a lot.
Take care,
-Nicky

It sounds kinda iffy that the poor thing will make it. Probably has some serious liver/kidney damage by now. At least it will have some comfort with you.
Were they hand feeding since it is blind?
There's always hope.....
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TheClassyLizard

Probably not....I doubt they knew enough to do that. That's the thing...I don't know how she fed it those crickets or anything if it's blind. I'm assuming it's blind...the eyes are very glazed and glassy and I've seen plenty of blind animals. The way she made it sound it was fine until a week ago. And that's the biggest load of BS I've ever heard. Like I said I'm going to call the vet tomorrow and try to get in as soon as possible. But, it just doesn't look good. Thank you Christy. If it does die...it will at least die as comfortable as I can make it.

At least you are doing something and giving it the best possible shot at suriving or if nothing else no more suffering. If more people would take the time to help reptiles out more like you are trying they would be a lot better off.

Thanks for trying to give the lil guy a shot.

brandon
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Dragons by Nature

and Terry came across a bunch of beached whales which were in the process of dieing. Most of the females were pregnant and it was breaking Steve's and Terry's heart to see this but they were helpless.

It was tough to watch and I can't imagine actually being there watching the struggling animals. They made it a point there was nothing they could do but comfort the animals while they died and hope they made a difference in their suffering. I believe they did help the animals die a little more peacefully.

Try and take some comfort in knowing you are helping as much as you have the ability to and that you are making a difference in that beardies life.

It's a shame he has suffered like that but at the same time is lucky to have you now.
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Rob

the more i love my pets" That is to the old owners. As for you thank you for doing your part! And good luck for the little guy...

Animals are reliable, many full of love, true in their affections, predictable in their actions, grateful and loyal. Difficult standards for people to live up to.
-Alfred A. Montapert
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Rob

It really helped me when I was feeling the worst I have in a long time. Unfortunately...I didn't even get a chance to call the vet. The dragon died this morning. I guess the only comfort is that he was at least warm, and was bathed on his last night on Earth. It's really depressing, but he was just too far gone. I'm going to have him cremated. Thanks again everyone.
-Nicky

Too bad he couldn't have come to you a bit sooner. Again, sorry and I'll speak for him...Thanks for letting him die in peace.
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TheClassyLizard

On another note (as I am trying not to think about the poor dragon right now), I ordered one of your fabulous hammocks a few days ago. I was just wondering how long they usually take to arrive? I'm in PA. I'm sure Gordo will love it

I'm so sorry that he didn't make it. I feel you grief. Many agencies do checks on people before allowing them to adopt a dog or cat, why not on ALL pets?? Or maybe take a mandatory care course and pass a test before taking it home?

My goal in the near future is to open a store specializing in mainly herps with a friend of mine. We will have mandatory tests that the customer must complete before the purchase of an animal. Also I would want proof of adequate setup.