Dilemma (Advice Needed)

[SBP]

OK,

I finally, after mulling it over have decided to buy a classic leopard gecko. All of my local pet stores keep them on repti sand. My question is do you think it is worth paying an extra 35 dollars to a breeder to guarantee they were not raised on sand? Am I blowing it out of proportion? Should I just get an outwardly healthy LG from the pet store and save the 40 bucks?

Steve

 

[indyana]

I really worry about parasites with pet store geckos. They can carry them without being symptomatic, but if they have works, you're looking at more than $35 in vet bills for testing and treatment. And, goodness forbid, they have Crypto, that could show up later, and the only shot at treatment hasn't been officially published yet.

Maybe I'm just paranoid, but yes, I would pay more to a breeder. There's no guarantee a breeder gecko won't have parasites, of course, but I feel it's less likely than the mass produced geckos kept in crowded conditions.

 

[scm133]

My first Leopard Gecko was from a pet store. However, like you, I did not like the setup. I waited until a new shipment came in, and grabbed one up. He is now a BIG 3 year old boy!!

 

[acpart]

If you think you may someday want to breed leopard geckos, get one from a breeder so you'll know the genetics.
Aliza

 

[Olympus]

There's no guarantee that a breeder gecko won't carry parasites (as things like pinworms and coccidia can be present in crickets regardless of source) but I would pay the extra to know that the gecko was probably better cared for (as in, they were fed well gut-loaded and supplemented foods and kept in clean, appropriate housing, and will subsequently not come with deficiencies or illnesses). And another big plus from buying from breeders is that they will be available to help you for the life of the animal, as most breeders really care. So while at the pet store you may get help from some kid working the afternoons after school, with a breeder you know the person dedicates hours (probably daily) to the best care of his/her geckos and breeding projects. So the latter is going to want to see you succeed.

Let's put it this way - you probably won't regret those $40!

 

[Penelope24]

I bought a Leo from a pet store and she got sick with in a week I ended up spending around 150 on vet visits and I finally had to put her down because the vet said it looked like she had crypto and to test her for that would have cost over 200. I would just spend the extra 40 to 50 and buy from a breeder.