Need advice

[GeckoMandi]

I made a post a couple days ago about a local pet store that had this AWFUL looking leopard gecko, well I contacted the local human society and never got an answer back after I left 3 messages. Well me and Mike went back into the this store yesterday and I asked the guy why this gecko is in this condition and he said that animal control brought it in!! Along with some scorpions and I think a frog eyed gecko not totally sure that's what it was.

Well knowing me I cannot help but want to rescue something, and since animal control didn't seem to know what to do no point in contacting anyone about the pet store right?

Here are pics of the Leopard Gecko I got with my phone, I'm sure this guy will give it to me if I ask for it but I do I want to take this risk? He said he is eating but I can't think this is true it has been there over 2 weeks I know for sure, I don't know what to do I want to try and rescue it but if it has crypto I don't want to risk getting mine sick as well, even keeping them separate of course.

You can clearly see it has MBD and what else I have no idea.

 

[KiKi]

its a very hard decision to make and it would be a risk with your other geckos ,this is a gut instinct decision only you can make that choice,i honestly dont know what to say

 

[GeckoMandi]

Well I still have no clue on what to do I've thought about it all day...

 

[bro paul]

As long as you can thoroughly quarantine it...then it may be worth a shot. I've seen so many geckos that I wanted to rescue, but usually I just walk away disgusted. I have rescued a few though, and those were rewarding experiences. Best of luck with your decision...let us know how it turns out.

 

[GeckoMandi]

Well I decided I'm not going to take the risk, I need to learn sometimes to walk away even though it's so darn hard for me 2 of my geckos are rescues and I got lucky with them. I almost cried at the pet store when I first seen it. But I just don't want to risk it getting my other geckos sick even being in the same room.

All I can do is say a little prayer for the poor gecko, and wish bad things upon the person that let it get in that condition.

 

[Zbiz]

Yeah these type of situations require some thought. I was at a mall petstore one day, saw a leo, aft and over 6 dead anoles all in the same 8x12 tank; I was devastated! I SO wanted to take the aft and leo. But i didnt have room for them and there was another 2 days before i made the trip home. My cousin had to talk me out of slapping the owner and demanding to take the geckos. I didnt take them. Now i feel there could of been a way. Some how... But i also realized what ever killed the anoles has probibly infected the leo and aft. Although it could of been from starvation, I didnt see a single food item in any of the cages there. After a long arguement with their manager I took phone pictures of all the cages containing: a savanah monitor (who i watched die while i was there), a dead crested gecko (pasted on to the glass with its own fluids), 2 ball pythons and 1 redtailed sharing the same 8x12 space and a tank of over 10 dryed up dead water dragons. None of these cages had water and food was out of the question it seemed. I sent the photos to ASPCA with an address and explaination. Thats all i could do.

If i acted on my instant reaction i would of taken all of those animals home, but its those little voices that put some reason into your thinking; making a hard decision that much easier to decide. Thoughtless passion should be avoided.

 

[SaSobek]

that is a very interesting dilemna. and it is a double edge sword. i work as a vet tech. i have also worked in a pet store for many years and have seen allot of suppliers and other stores (kind of a hobby visiting other stores) but at the end of the day you have to allot that you cant save them all. it might sound hard and sometimes heartless, but you must be able to separate things. there should be a line between the well being of your own animals and the ones you care for. the ones you care for you treat as your own but when the work is done you have to be able to walk away. i have worked at 2 total different pet stores one being a single store that was run by a man that real cared about the animals well being, and i also have worked at Pet Co and there is a big difference between the 2. the store that i worked at that was a single store that is why we went to other stores to see how and what they were doing and then make the best possible store for the animals well being and be able to stay open and make money at the same time. also at that store we had people that specialized in certain things and were the ones that were in charge of thoughs things. because they really knew what they were doing. the people that worked at that store were literally geeks in what they knew. now Pet Co is literally run like a Wal Mart store. to people that are hired are people that like animals but dont know animals. (for the most part) and that is how the animals might not get cared for as well the store i worked at the reptile specialist didnt know the difference in housing requirements between a leopard gecko and an iguana. thats really sad. so now back to the point

i see it like this. unfortunately with the all the reptiles produced and imported each year, there is a natural selection that goes on even in the captive trade alot of reptiles dont make it. if we support and buy animals out of pity it only fuels the fire. because as soon as that reptile that is all sick, is bought or dies. a new one comes in. it is sad but that is the trade. all we can really do is care for the animals we have to the best we can, and support the people that do the same.

is there less heart in protecting the animals you have, or trying to save the rest while putting yours possibly at risk?

i wouldnt risk mine

 

[GeckoMandi]

is there less heart in protecting the animals you have, or trying to save the rest while putting yours possibly at risk?

i wouldnt risk mine

This is what led to my choice I want to save it of course but I don't want to take the risk of getting my animals sick, and I thought well I could take it to the vet but I think they are going to tell me what I already know that gecko needs to be out of it's misery. I would have thought the pet store was doing more to save it but it having MBD and on Calcium sand well...enough said there.

I love all animals, reptiles whatever I don't even step on Ant hills! lol!

So it was a hard choice to make, I'm never going into that pet store again that's for sure.

 

[SaSobek]

Mandi

im sorry you had to see the gecko in that bad of shape. it is very sad and sad that some animals sold at pet stores are not treated as well as dogs and cats. fish are a big example most pet stores have hundreds of dead fish a year its sad that there isnt regulations in the US about all animals but they treat some really bad its usually the ones that people are scared of or dont take the time to understand.

i have always said that people should have to take a test to own an animal (or have a kid hahahaha) but we could never have that happen.

keep you chin up in the long run you did a good thing it we would be nice if we could save them all. but the best we can do is educate people as best we can

 

[GeckoMandi]

Thanks it makes me feel better that some do agree with me not taking it in, I'm sure others would no matter what but if I take it home and it lives another week and it dies after I've grown to it. that would crush me because I've never lost a gecko.

 

[MischiefManaged]

Awww . . . that is so sad. I have been in the same position as you, and it really is amazing what a bit of TLC will do for these guys. Here is the link to my page on Lucky:
http://www.freewebs.com/spoiledrottenreptiles/arescuestory.htm
Good luck in whatever you decide!

Edit: I jumped ahead without reading your last post. It is infuriating that pet stores are so uncaring. For them, these animals are a mere commodity and nothing more. You did the best you could and in the end, it is probably best not to risk the health of your existing leos. Not to mention, rescue work can be nerve-wracking and expensive!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Mandi, I thinks it's great that you care enough about that poor, unfortunate little gecko. It is heartbreaking to see something so beautiful and sweet in that condition... it takes a lot of abuse for leopard gecko to have such an advanced case of MBD.

Taking a rescue like that is a huge undertaking, and could potentially cost you literally hundreds of dollars in veterinary expenses. Even more, it is a 24/7 commitment. Here are a few worst-case scenario things to consider:

- It will need liquid calcium therapy which may include injections as well as oral administration 2-3 times a day for as long as several months.. MBD cannot be reversed, but can be stopped from progressing. The damage to this geckos limbs and spine are permanent.

- When a gecko is in that bad a condition, it most likely is not eating. It may need slurry-fed twice a day for several weeks, which is very a time consuming commitment.

- When a gecko has MBD and is not feeding, it is at risk for disease and parasitic infection. ALL geckos have a natural level of coccidia that poses no health risk if they are healthy, but if their immune system is compromised from MBD and overall stress and neglect this parasite can begin to multiply into an uncontrollable level. Coccidia is extremely difficult to eradicate, and the medication (Albon) to treat is is sulpha-based and is extremely hard on the kidneys and liver. A gecko that is already so health-compromised can actually die from the treatment alone.

- Coccidia infections require fastidious disinfection protocol. It's enclosure, hide, and water bowl will need disinfected every 24 hours, and every time the gecko poops to prevent reinfecting itself. You would need to wear disposable vinyl gloves every time you come in contact with the gecko and anything the gecko has been in contact with.

- This little gecko would require strict quarantine, in a separate room. The potential risk for jeapordizing the health of your existing geckos would be very great.

- The rewards of being able to rehabilitate a sick little gecko are phenomenal, and we develop a very special bond with these little creatures when we care for them, feed them, give them medicine, and put forth so much time and energy into their survival. But... if we are unable to succeed, it literally rips your heart out when they die or you ultimately have to make the decision to euthanize them.

Mandi, only you can decide if it's worth it trying to save this poor little creature... and the only real advise that I can give you is, pay attention to your gut instinct. If there is even a shadow of doubt or concern, don't do it.

-

 

[Jeanne]

Mandi, only you can decide if it's worth it trying to save this poor little creature... and the only real advise that I can give you is, pay attention to your gut instinct. If there is even a shadow of doubt or concern, don't do it.

-

That is Great advice!

Mandi,
I understand how you feel, I recently had a friend of a friend return to me a Leopard gecko I had given to him and his girlfriend about 3 years ago. When I got the Gecko back I couldn't believe the condition she was in. She has a bad case of MBD, although not as bad as the one in the pet store you showed. And, she obviously didn't have a moist hide because she had dried shed stuck to almost all of her toes, the toes that didn't have shed on them were missing the tips of the toes. She is nice and healthy otherwise, Thank God. But, I feel so bad for her, the pain and suffering that she must have gone thru makes me so mad. But, I am happy to say, she is doing much better now. She is eating like a little piglet and has a nice bowl of calcium which she loves to lick up, and a nice humid hide that she loves and lies in like it is a Tropical Paradise...LOL

I can definitely understand why you don't want to risk taking that Gecko home, I wouldn't take it home either. If it would make you feel better, then maybe you could bring it to a vet and let them have it. If they do put her down, then maybe that would be better than her suffering like she is.

 

[GeckoMandi]

Well I'm taking the advice and going with my gut on this one, I can't rescue every animal I come across even though of course I want to. I know you can't win them all and I don't want to sound greedy or mean but right now I couldn't afford a large vet bill right now and that gecko needs vet care or to be put down that is quite obvious.

I have seen the posts and read the stories by others of other geckos in bad shape and never thought I would have to see one like that. It just melts my heart that someone could let something get to that point, I mean how can it?? Geez.

Well thanks for the replys and Marcia I saved that entire thing you posted into a notepad for my own future reference thanks!