Hi Josh, welcome to the forum.



I can understand you getting attached to the little fella, I've got too big of heart myself. But let's face it, we can't rescue/save 'em all. You wanted a healthy burm, it doesn't sound like that burm is healthy. Far from it.



Spare yourself the agony and return it, even if you have to take store credit and spend that credit on dog food for the rest of the year.



I would review that store's animal return policy like a seasoned lawyer and fight 'em tooth & nail. I'll stop short of saying they're lying about it having eaten 3 pinkies on it's own, but I surely don't see how it's possible given the condition you described.



I wish I had some experience with long term problem feeders so I could help you make an informed decision, but I don't. I've always started with healthy animals. Life's hard enough as it is.



I've got 5 baby burms that hatched on Father's Day (June), they're my first clutch, ever. 3 have always eaten without a problem, 1 (labyrinth) was smaller and sickly looking and wouldn't eat. I force-fed her after about 1 1/2 months of not eating on her own because I felt her condition was getting borderline. She ate a pinkie on her own 3 weeks later and she seems to be doing good. She was always active, though, just not quite as active as the others.



My favorite of the clutch is an albino that was healthy but has refused to eat & now she's thin, with loose skin. I just force-fed her tonight. That's the extent of my problem feeder experience. Sorry it's not much help to ya as far as long term.



I'll say this, though; I could've sold the labyrinth one a few times already if I wanted to, but my concious wouldn't let me, even if I decided I wanted to get rid of her & not keep her for myself. The Ma & Pa pet shop I deal with would've pulled that burm you've got & kept it in a backroom while nursing it back to good health before selling it. Do you see what I'm getting at?



Wipe your hands with the place you got that burm from as quickly & cleanly as possible. That's what I suggest.



Yeah, the lil' guy could fine from this point on, but then again, you could baby it for a year or more and it never reach a healthy status and/or die. Once emotions come into play like they have already with you, it's a tough decision and one that you ultimately have to make on your own. See, I'm not emotionally tied to to the lil' rascal so it's easy for me to just sit here & say get your money back for it.



I wish you the best with whatever you decide.



Hang in there!

HH
-----
Due to political correctness run amuck,

this ol' hillbilly is now referred to as an:

Appalachian American

[ Show Entire Thread ]