F/U on Petco where I bought Gabe

First, I don't want to sound harsh here.. understand that.
Just to let you know. No matter WHAT results came back via your vet or lab results.. the vet will always say "I cannot rule out IBD" with out a necropsy. You CAN test for IBD without a necropsy but it will NOT RULE OUT IBD. IBD can sometimes only be detected in the brain, according to some vets(I.E. University of Florida). I have had several negetive tests, but then they will say "Well... it COULD still be..." Because they are fixated on it. Despite the fact that the BALL PYTHON has lived for over a year, with only the head wobble as a symptom(she's a spider wobble-head), they still won't commit to a negative report.
Ask how long the snakes were there that were exposed to YOUR snake. If it's longer than a couple months, you can pretty much say it wasn't IBD.
As far as compensation for vet bills? It's not likely to happen with most places. When you bought the snake, you assume full responsibilty for it's care including possible vet needs. You admit it was a 'few days' past the guarentee time when you went in. The manager doesn't owe you even a discount honestly.
If it were MY store, I would have #1 quarentined as soon as you first contacted me. #2 Taken the animal back and taken it direct to the vet for full work up and necropsy, and #3 offered you store credit or refund on the purchase price.
But after the snake is dead, without a vet report, after the 30-day time is past, it's asking a lot of a manager to refund your money, pay a vet bill, or offer you a replacement.
I'm really sorry to have heard about all this, and I know it's a painful thing to go through. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your pet. I just wanted to state the basics here though. Petco is a corporate entity, and you are asking them to step outside most of the rules. When/If you get any vet report back, then I'd take it up with corporate.
Just for the record, I wouldn't want any reptile from that place ever again.
Wolfy

Look, I'm not expecting anything from Petco. I don't expect a refund, I don't expect a replacement, I honestly don't expect them to do anything but throw my letter in the trash. But you have to understand I feel compelled to do something. I think you misunderstand my actions for some kind of desperation. What I feel is I would hate for this to happen to someone else, and I feel like I can't just sit idly by and not try. But the fact is my attempts to discuss this with the store were futile. The manager couldn't care less. It's sad.

BTW vet called. Said he couldn't say anything definite bc he's not a board-certified herp, but one of the few in the area that takes reptiles. He said he definetly displayed many of the signs. I could send it to a lab to be tested, but it would have to be overnighted. It's been so warm here that I really don't think they would be able to work with it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jar2476

when they hire these people i really dont think they care if they know anything about reptiles. I think as long as they know where the dog/cat food is then they will continue to have a job.

---

exactly what i think

Dark I just sent you a PM

I just got off the phone with PetCo here in Augusta. I talked with the Reptile manager and she is keeping a close eye on the BPs and Boas and taking them off sales. they get there BPs from a breeder is SC. That is all I can say for now. I'm waiting for a call back from some othere people here in augusta and the Vet office. I will let you guys know what I find. that is really all I can do for now.
:(

You are an ANGEL. Thank you so much.

vet called back and there was a snake that was put down today for possable IBD. I cant know if it is IBD or not due to me not owning the snake but I did get that the snake was from a petco in SC. again i cant know where due to non ownership.

That is all I'm able to get now but the word has been put out. I can't say if the "breeder" in SC has been contacted but I hope my Petco does it soon.

I'm scared to go there. just like the time I went the this woman house and saw that her snakes had mites....I ran home and washed everything I had on in bleach and took 2 showers. I went to Petco a few weeks ago to get some fish food and now all I want to do is burn my cloths and take hundreds of showers... this gives me the creeps again.

Know it doesn't mean much coming from a new guy such as myself. But Im so sorry about your loss. We all get attached to our pets, no matter short a time we have them. All you can do is look forward. Chin up hun. :hug:

On a side note, this whole topic and disease is creeping me the hell out....didnt even know it existed till this post.

IBD is SCARY. I work in an HIV clinic in Augusta, GA. I see the effects of a retrovirus everyday, and the parallels between HIV/AIDS and IBD just haunts me. I think I let myself believe it couldn't happen to me, and especially not from what I thought was a nationally known and decently respected chain. And now here I am. :(

I have been to probably over 20 to 30 petco's. I also got mine at one. EVERY SINGLE ONE i have been to, EXCEPT for the one i bought mine at, does not know a damn thing about reptiles, or anything else for that matter. It's usually little teeny bopper employee's or stoned out " i can't wait to get out of here " type people working.

The one i bought mine at however has 2 guys that live for snakes and reptiles, and they really do know their stuff, so thank god for that. But yeah, Petco is just awful, along with petsmart, etc, and corporate place selling animals usually knows nothing other than dogs and cats, and maybe the occasional GERBIL!

I'm glad you sent this, they need to be called out on it.