Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is for all you people who post pictures of the beautiful hatchlings you are getting for $20 from Petco. I agree that they do offer good looking animals at a bargain. Just the other day I had to pass up a paternless hatchling there. (no more room!) but do heed this warning...
For those who have not been following along, I have been caring for a very sick gecko baby (4 in.) that I bought there. She was eating at first, but deteriorated (sp.?) after a short while. She recieved the utmost care from both myself and my vet, but unfortunately did not make it, and I had to make the worst decision to put her down yesterday. She was a victim of a congenital disease called poly cystic kidney disease. There are treatments, but no cure, and certainly no guaratees that treatment will work. This is my warning: when (if) you buy a new gecko from Petco, please, please take it to the vet ASAP. you should be doing this anyway for a fecal. ALSO ask the vet to do a blood test for kidney function. Have this done Before the baby stops eating, starts losing weight, and gets so small that a blood test is not an option. Also, before you buy, look at the bottom of the gecko @ the kidneys (email me if you need to know how to do this) If they are obviously visible, DON'T BUY IT!!! Extra large kidneys are a very good sign that this gecko does not have the genes it needs to survive long term. Once again, there is nothing you can do to cure the disease. If you are a true bleeding heart (like me) AND are able to catch it early, chances are fair that the animal will make it to adulthood, but only with vigilent and intense supervision. Sorry so long, but I feel I need to share my new knowledge and experience to save a lot of you out there the expense, frustration, and grief I have been through. I honestly hope this helps at least some of you out there.
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1.0 Pastel/Jungle Leopard gecko from JL (BJ)
0.4 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie, Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 TBD Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.1 Tang Nearly Paternless (Peaches)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (One snow, One red albino)

My petco here keeps ALL of their herps on papertowel with everything that meets their needs, i have baught maybe 9 from them so far and have not had one problem ever, there are good pet stores out there with people who actually care, then there are horrible pet stores with people who couldnt care less
i think these pet stores shouldnt sell animals..even their dogs look sick, im just glad i have a good petstore here

maybe you didn't read the whole post. My problem with their animals is not about their husbandry methods. I have in fact found them quite good. My issue arose from their stock itself, and was due to an experience I had recently involving a CONGENITAL disorder. I am in no way saying "don't buy from petco, they're a bad store" I have bought healthy animals there before. I AM saying, if you are going to buy from them, esp. juvenilles, consider my experience, and possibly get the blood test from you r vet.
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1.0 Pastel/Jungle Leopard gecko from JL (BJ)
0.4 Normal/Hi-Yellow Leopard gecko (Beatrice, Goldie, Freckles, Pepper)
0.1 SHCT Leopard Gecko (Brite)
0.1 TBD Leopard Gecko (Rainbow)
0.0.1 Tang Nearly Paternless (Peaches)
0.0.2 Corn Snakes (One snow, One red albino)

I want to let you all know that I work at Petsmart in the Specialty department (that's small animal, birds, fish and reptiles). We take EXCELLENT care of ALL our animals. I know for a fact that the majority of sick animals purchased form petstores, at least ours and probably Petco's, are a result of the supplier not taking care of them. We have recieved sick animals, parasite infested animal and more. They immediately get veterinarian help and are not sold if they can not recoup. At Petsmart we take pride in our animals health and I have purchased many pets here even before I started working for them. I really can't speak for Petco and homestly I don't like the care they give thier animals at the one near me, but I can speak for my company. Animals get shipped to us sick every once in a while. It is hard to determine with reptiles because most of the time they show no signs until it is too late. But don't stereotype pet stores. It's not always their fault. I just thought I would tell the other side of the story this time.

Emily
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2.4.2 leopard geckos
1.1 ferrets (Oliver and Delilah)
1. budgie (Max)
0.0.1 Ring neck Parakeet (Kiwi)
1.1 German Shepards (Jake and Abigail)

www.freewebs.com/thespottedgecko

what petsmart do you work at city/state thanks