Reptile & Amphibian Forums

hey guys
i finally took helga to the vet. she was 192 grams and the vet said she was a little too skinny since she had dips by her tail. while i was there another part of a toe fell off. she has three missing toes and three that are on there way to falling off. he also said she had MBD and gave me liquid calcium for her bones and antibiotics that i have to inject to keep her toes and feet from getting infected. he also said her skull was soft. poor little girl. it made me cry when i got back to my car. he said she will be fine but it is just terrible that that pet store did this to her.
once i get paid again and can afford the blood work and fecal exam (i only did the meds today)the total sum of her vet bill will be like $300
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

Is it just more or should their be pet health insurance?

i think that they actually do have pet health care now but i am not sure if it covers reptiles. i swear i saw it once in a pamphlet in a pet store. i think that i need to get health insurance before the lizards do ha ha! gotta love being in grad school
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

I work in insurance, and have to tell you that although I know there is some company out there that sells health insurance for pets, it's not likely to be cost effective.

From an underwriting point of view, the company would have to charge high premiums to make enough money to be able to pay out on all the claims. And they would have a hard time determining if they could pay the claim, because think of all the people who have such poor husbandry techniques, that their animals fall sick and die, one after another.

An effective solution is to set aside a certain amount of money each month, as if you ARE paying for health insurance. Then when a problem does occur, you have that account with the money saved in it, and you can use that to cover vet bills. It's called self insurance, and can be the best way in some situations, like this one.

Just a thought...
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Nicki and...

1.0.0 Liasis mackloti savuensis (Savu python) - Bazzi
0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - Dragon and Belle
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Ontario, Canada

So sorry to hear about her illness. Hopefully with treatment, she'll be fine!!! I'm glad she has someone who cares for her to take care of her.

I agree that it's terrible that the pet store kept her in such terrible circumstances. It truly is cruelty to animals.
But I'd just like to point out that MBD isn't something that happens overnight. It takes a long time to develop to the stage it's at now, so I'm wondering if the pet store had her for a long time, or if they purchased her from someone who was neglecting her long before they got her.

Anyways, good luck with her, and I wish you both well!
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Nicki and...

1.0.0 Liasis mackloti savuensis (Savu python) - Bazzi
0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - Dragon and Belle
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Ontario, Canada

well, according to state law they had to provide her with vet care, so if they got this lizard from somewhere and they did not know the breeder, then they should have gotten her some care to make sure they were not selling a sick animal. but i have a hard time believing that someone who kept her in a tank with no lights and heat had nothing to do with the condition she is in.

that is good advice about money for the lizards. maybe i can buy an old fashioned piggy bank, the ones without exits, so i won't be tempted to "dip" into it ha ha
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

Oh, I didn't mean to suggest that the store had no responsibility in Helga's condition, only that it likely isn't the only source. I didn't know about any laws saying the store had to provide vet care to sick animals. That's interesting, and a great idea. I hope that the store will at least see how wrong they are by the actions you are taking, and learn how to properly keep the animals in their care!

I really like the piggy-bank idea, LOL!

Good luck with everything!
N
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Nicki and...

1.0.0 Liasis mackloti savuensis (Savu python) - Bazzi
0.0.2 Uromastyx geyri (Saharan Uromastyx) - Dragon and Belle
1.1.0 Uromastyx dispar maliensis (Mali Uromastyx) - Spike and Lizzy
1.0.0 Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri (Variable (Thayer’s) Kingsnake) - Kavi
0.0.1 Lampropeltis triangulum campbelli (Pueblan Milksnake) - Callia
0.2.0 Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis (Red-Sided Garter Snakes) - Spot and Fluffy

Ontario, Canada

well, california state law says it. i don't think it is a national thing. there is a webpage that has the states listed and their laws, for laws for pet stores. about half the states have pet store laws, but they vary.

http://www.api4animals.org/1071.htm

i hope this is the right page. i included the typed out version since i have never used the link thing before, ha ha.
Link

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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***

do the best ya can, I'm sure with GOOD care and TLC she will come around!

Don't focus on her past care, or carry around anger for the store. That goes without saying, they will reap what they sow, so to speak !

Put your energies into Helga's NEW and Improved Care !

You know I wish you the best with her!

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Eve

well, i am not letting my anger for the store affect the fun that i am having with my lizards, however, i am submitting documentation to people, including the store. the animals don't have a voice but they can tell stories with their bodies. i have to speak for helga and the collared lizards that i saw in there with no heat and lights too. i know that i am not going to get very far, but i like to dream the impossible dream
alright, i am getting off here to go play with the lizards
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vonnie
***One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries. - A. A. Milne***