Reptile & Amphibian Forums

If so how old are your animals? and have you had any problems?

I am SO angry right now at the girl who lives in the basement suite. She smokes constantly and never opens a bloody window, while upstairs I am freezing because all of mine are open and the fans are on. It is getting much worse as well, my house constantly smells like a pool hall. There are reasons I quite smoking two years ago, mainly for my own health as I never smoked near my animals. Its 1:30am, music is pounding (which I don't mind that much), and she has at least 5 people over who are probably all smoking (IT STINKS). I want to call my landlord right now. Someone give me a good reason to go on a yelling rampage, any articles or facts would be appreciated. For all I know she could be the cause of the death of my poor Rex (I'm not 100% sure why he died). My poor puppies at home all day with her stench. If you think that smoke doesn’t have any negative effects on animals please let me know your reasons so I can calm down a bit. I am really worried about my baby geckos, my dogs, my bird...

Lisa
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

and the stench is increasing as well as the noise. I'm going nuts. Has anyone ever heard of second hand smoke effecting reptiles. Even I'm starting to cough a bit, partly because I'm freezing cold. My poor poor baby geckos this can't be good for them. I swear I'm going to start seeing smoke coming through the vents soon. I was a pack-a-day smoker for five years but this is terrible.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Smoke effects everyone and everything...The chemicals in cigarettes are not natural for any creature to be breathing, while reptiles and such may have more of a resistance to cancer, other health problems can occur when breathing in smoke since it is not a natural part of their norma;l environment. Most of all you have a reason to go on a yelling rampage because you have a right to breath clean air and not only is she polluting her own air, but it is moving into your space. I would talk to your landlord about that. The health risks are much more profound to humans and I would give the reason of putting your own health first in the process of helping your animals.

Thank you very much for you information. It went on untill 5am when my boyfriend was woken up and went on a stomping rampage. Grrr, roomates.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

One animal you have I KNOW is at extreme risk...is your bird....birds are VERY senstive to air born chemicals...not only can it cause lung problems...but can shorten your birds lifespan....I agree w/ the other poster NO one has the right to invade your personal space...be it noise or smoke...you pay to be there...my townhouse has rules that everyone must smoke outside.
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KRISTI Mommy 2 Autumn Rose (daughter) 2 1/2 yrs
Reign Michael(son) 6 months
Duncan (Budgie) Passed away 5/11/2004...Love you duncan
Asia (Juvie Leopard Gecko)
Russia ( Baby Albino Cornsnake)
OH, And Ron the geckos #1 FAN!!! (owned by BlizzardGecko)

Man it sucks to be you. If I were you I would close the windows and invest in one of those air purifiers. I am an exsmoker as well and it sucks to have to go through the hell of quitting only to still breath in the same poop that will kill you, and not get the satisfaction.
Your animals will suffer the smoke damage to their lungs if it is getting into their enclosure.
Its costly but stick with AC or Heater with an air purifier. Good luck.
Jason

I know it does suck. I am reminded everyday why I quit though, she STINKS.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Aw poor Tony . I have never heard of that before. I'll have to make sure he is far from the vents. Here is a picture of him with his buddy. I'm sorry for the loss of your budgie.

Lisa (Cristin, I just haven't moved all my pictures)

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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound (Otto)
0.1 Malamute (Paris)
5.0 Bettas

I would definitely give your landlord a call. Is smoking allowed inside? And for the noise simply call the police at their non-emergency number. That should take care of it. Give'em a warning then start writing citations. Some people just have no respect for their neighbors. I have a few of those people around me.

Matt

I agree with everyone above..

If she's in the basement, why are the windows on your floor opened?? Close them! You're paying to live there, too - so don't let her take over. If the party's loud enough that neighbors can hear, call in a complaint to the non-emergency police line.

I've done it before - you'll have to stand outside and wait for the patrol car to come by and make sure they actually stop and do something. A couple of months ago, our neighbors about 5 houses down had their music up so loud that I could make out the words - while I was inside my own house! My neighbors and I all called.. And the patrol car started to just drive by, until one of my neigbors stopped them.

Anyway, do NOT let your roommate run you over. You have a right to fresh air and to warmth. This is YOUR health she's ruining! And you're paying to live there.

Your landlord should be concerned as well - cigarette smoke stains walls and carpets, bringing down the value of his/her property. Did the landlord have a rule set about no smoking in the house? Most do - and it's perfectly legal. If he/she hasn't set that rule, ask them to set it (if your roomie doesn't abide the rule, your roomie can get kicked out).

Talk to her today; talk to your landlord... If she can't control herself, then you and your landlord kick her out.

~~Dusty Windom
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So Many Alleles, So Little Time...!
@
~~The Gecko Barn~~

You also have to think that she pays rent and is given the right to smoke all she wants to. I can understand about the music, but for you to contact the landlord because you dont like the smoke is just ridiculous. I smoke and i have smoked for the last 17 or 18 years, Slowly they are trying to take my rights away because of all the whiners like you people out there. Please dont take this as a personal attack, because it isnt geared toward one particular person, just all the anti smokers in general.

Your roommate has just as much right to smoke as you have not to. Sorry, i cant back you up on this one. I have always smoked around my animals, and while it might not be the best thing in the world for them I have not seen one ill effect from it.

Like I said I smoked as well. My boyfriend and I don't pay $900 a month in rent to live in a bloody pool hall. I have been a waitress for three years, smoke honestly doesn't bother me much when it's not IN MY HOUSE. It is supposed to be a non-smoking house, and no she doesn't have a right to smoke inside AT ALL. I don't take this as a personal attack, I just should have stated all the facts. It is a non-smoking home, well it is supposed to be, she is allowed to smoke outside and thats it. SHE agreed to that when she moved here. Anyways, thank you for informing me that you have been smoking around your animals and have seen no ill effects.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Btw, I was angry about all the anti-smoking laws that started to come up when I smoked as well. However, given the facts about how terrible second hand smoke is, not to mention the stench that comes with it, I can, and always have understood them. I agree that someone has a right to smoke in their own home, so long as they agree with their landlord and the people they live with that it is ok.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Arsenic, lead, mercury (all containted in cigs as well as 400 chemicals that are classified as hazardous materials, in which you can't even entire a building without having Level C and some case B gear on. Can't figure out why cigs are given an exception. Breathing chlorine gas is less painful) are hazardous to all living things. So to say it doesn't bother geckos is ludicrous.

Matt

All I have to say is that I don't understand why ANYONE smokes...it's just an incredibly stupid thing to do! Sure, you have the right to smoke...but I think it should only be where the smoke won't affect ANYONE else...it's not something that's harmless to the people around you...They close off the rooms in which they do x-rays because it can be harmful to the people around...the same should be true for smokers...you're not just putting your own life at risk, you putting all the people who are around you smelling your deadly stinks' lives at risk and we have a right to be happy and healthy. Both of my parents used to smoke btw...my mom thankfully quite years ago...but my Dad still smokes... Anyway, I'm very glad about all the laws popping up...I hate not wanting to go places because I know I'll be coughing half the time I'm there and I'll be coming back stinking. I can't wait till they outlaw smoking all together (which I'm sure they will).
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Christina

Leopard Gecko Morph Descriptions

2.3 leos
-0.1 tangerine het rainwater albino w/jungle background (Blinkers)
-0.2 jungles (Vahz & Skissor)
-1.0 tremper albino (Spitfire)
-1.0 tangerine rainwater albino (Bronx)

-ignorance is not to be punished when one is trying to gain knowledge...what scares me is the vast number of people who, when given the information to gain knowledge, choose to ignore it.

Would loving nothing less for smoking to be outlawed. But I really dont' want to government to go that far. If they able to outlaw smokes then they prove they are too powerful. What will be next. I think they should just tax the hell out of it and use the proceeds for good. Make it like $25 a pack.

Matt

As someone who is amazingly allergic to some of the chemicals in Cigarette smoke.... I cannot see how ANYONE can say that smoking should be someone's right... especially not when it impacts on their health and the health of those around them. The way I see it.. people who smoke should be institutionalized. Why not? They're creating a hazard to themselves and those around them. We commit people who do that usually. Why should it be any different over a long term thing? My grandfather smoked from the time he was 14... He ended up dying of 3 different types of lung cancer along with 4 others running rampant in his body. My older sister is 34.. and has had the beginning stages of Emphesema (I know spelling is wrong) for the last 6 years. Smoking is one of the all around nastiest habits I can think of. I don't even regard smoking pot in as bad a light as I do smoking cigarettes. At least pot smoke is mostly natural and non-carcinogenic.
I can totally agree with the goverment for trying to outlaw cigarettes. When smoking is done around other people... its messing with other people's lives...and no one has that right.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.1.1 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short) and 1 dbl. het blizzard x tang albino (Malice))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

I agree. I would have thought twice before starting to smoke if packs were $25 a day. That would be like $35 canadian, lol. I smoked a pack a day for five years, that was probably more money than I made overall. $63,875 in five years, lol I would NEVER start at that price. That is way more than I made being a student. Not only would I need my student loans, but I would have needed a loan for smokes as well.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

It's so hard for me. Lol, I'm a big wuss who loves everyone. I can't be mean . I am going to talk to her though, as it is supposed to be a non-smoking home.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

I really don't mind the noise all that much. I'm a nighthawk and usually I'm up at that hour anyways, I just have to work today. However, my boyfriend is not a nighthawk. She is not alowed to smoke in the house. If she doesn't stop after I talk to her I will be speaking to my landlord.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

well if it is a non smoking household, then i would talk to the roommate before going to the landlord. No use getting her kicked out over somthing as trivial as smoking. Trust me, you could have alot worse people for neighbors.

I have most of the bad ones it seems. The girl who lived in the basement before always had loud parties where she would invite all her scary skinhead friend over to trash the place. My roomate before I moved here was wedding obsessed, she made my life a living hell. I don't know if you've seen the show bridezillas, she would honestly top any of those crazy women. However I know there is worse, besides the smoking, the girl downstairs is not all that bad. Oh but then there are her very loud sexcapades every second night, lol (sorry, getting of topic).
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Yep, I do all the time. No problems here with any of the gex.
Personally I would not worry about it as far as the animals are concerned.

Your distaste for the smell, that is another matter...
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Rhac 'n Roll Reptiles http://home.netcom.com/~deadrats/h.htm

np
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

i haven't bothered to read what else was said because i'm sure its a big argument but i do know that second hand smoke on ANY animal is worse than it is on a toddler. it can remove many years from them and cause sever complications. i know this for a fact.

and your facts are based on what???

Dude common sense is a fact, Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills. Society isn't whinning against your habit we just dont' want to DIE.
If you want facts go read your cig label/carton.

np
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

I'm not questioning you at all, but if you have any articles or what-not on this I would love to see them. I was unable to find any info from the internet search I was doing.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

When i went to pick up my first group of geckos i got to see a rescued leo that had been in the care of a smoker. I was told it look many sheds to get the yellow colour from the smoke out of it.

Now i'm a smoker and yes i feel like my right to chose to smoke is going down the drain. I agree its not healthy blah blah blah, but it is addicting and once you start its hard to stop. Sometimes i feel like people just don't get that.

The biggest fight up my way on the smoking thing is for residents of nursing homes. 80yr old people who have smoked all their lives now being told that they CAN'T smoke in what is their home. Smoking is allowed in casinos cause it brings in money for the governments but they expect an old person to just up and quit after what 50-60 years of smoking??? DUH!!!!!!! If they can make *smoking areas* in places that bring in money then they can allow smoking areas in other places too!

In my household there are three smokers and i've seen no ill effects on any of our animals. I don't smoke right in their faces though and i open the windows when i do smoke.

Red
P.S. we also smoke away from my father
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0, Ziggy and Zeus
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
New Girls: Flame, Karma, Bubbles and Bell pics coming soon
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)

How sad about that gecko. It must have been exposed to an extreme ammount of smoke.

I know it's very hard to quit. I'm glad I quit after only 5 years. There are times when I think I will start again still. I do agree that it should be banned in places with children, only because they don't have much say in being there. I can't stand seeing the effects of second hand smoke on children.

A nursing home is a different story, so long as it doesn't affect the other non-smokers. Old people should be comfortable on their way out. I hate how we treat the elderly pretty much the same as we treat children, most often worse. It is so sad.

All I really want is for the girl downstairs to open a window when she smokes. It comes right through the vents, I bet it doesn't smell near as bad downstairs as it does upstairs. She just doesn't seem to understand the concept that smoke goes up.
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

If you had to choose one would you choose an aft or a crested. I really want both, but I only have room for one type. It wouldn't be for at least a few months, but I am getting excited just thinking about it. I was starting to lean towards a crested, but only because afts seem so much like leos. I have also heard that cresteds are very easy to handel, what are your thoughts?
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0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
6.0 Bettas

Thats a hard choice for sure. I have both and love my 3 crested geckos and 2 aft's. I guess from my experience i'd have to go with aft's. The two girls are so easy to handle and wrap around my fingers without a fuss. My cresteds on the other hand aren't keen on me even putting my hand in to change water and food. Ziggy is the worst while Zeus will lick baby food off my finger. Its really hard cause i wouldn't be able to chose between them if i had to.

Red

>>If you had to choose one would you choose an aft or a crested. I really want both, but I only have room for one type. It wouldn't be for at least a few months, but I am getting excited just thinking about it. I was starting to lean towards a crested, but only because afts seem so much like leos. I have also heard that cresteds are very easy to handel, what are your thoughts?
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>>0.1 Hypo Leopard Gecko
>>0.1 Albino Leopard Gecko
>>0.1 Blizzard Leopard Gecko
>>1.0 Albino pacman Frog (Phatty)
>>1.0 Lovebird (Tony Montana)
>>1.0 Elkhound cross (Otto)
>>0.1 Malamute cross (Paris)
>>6.0 Bettas
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Crested Gecko Zeek:1.0, Ziggy and Zeus
LEOS: Boo: 1.0 normal , Bronx & Nala: 1.1 blizzard,
Lily: 0.1 patternless, Abby: 0.1 albino, Zoe: 0.1 reduced pattern, Dot: 0.1 hypo
New Girls: Flame, Karma, Bubbles and Bell pics coming soon
Chip: 1.0 papillion (small dog)