BP may be dying....

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Originally Posted by sweety314

What's the time limit on PetCo's health guarantee??? Is it a week or longer???? (Sorry...I don't remember...:oops: :oops: )

I'd be for getting the necropsy and then taking the report to the PetCo where U bought him from...

DEFINITELY if he's diagnosed w/IBD or some other illness or disease, the store would absolutely need to know that.

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I'm pretty sure that it's 14 days. Tweets and I will never go back to Petco to buy another living thing there. When her female rat had an RI, she took her back to the Petco that she had bought her from ( it was within the 14 day limit) and her rat had died hours later from the RI, which she had found out that she had it since she had brought it home from the store. She noticed that there were very few rats that were out on display that day, which was when they put all of their qurantined animals out for display, and the manager told her that all but 1 large male rat had to be sent back because they all had RI's. I'm willing to bet that the male rat also has an RI, but just isn't showing signs of it yet.

But i would definately get a necropsy done on your BP to see if it was IBD or some intestinal problem or some sort of parasite. I'm truly sorry for your loss, and I hope that you find out the root of the problem.

When you're ready to get another snake, I would talk to some of the breeders here on the site. They will work with you to get healthy animals that they can ship to you for a very reasonable price.

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Originally Posted by doodisgurl

the 40 gal. is what the worker at petco told me to get for my bp, so I did what he told me since petcos workers are "supposed" to be specialist. (my bp was about a foot long)

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Yeah the person at petco should have been hit in the back of the head (no offence to anyone who works at petco) You should have kept him in a long 10 gal or a tub, but you were only doing as you were told, I would try to get your money back or something. People like that are really only doing their job, just not being good at it. I myself want to find a job at a reptile store, I feel that I am learning so much here, and I want to teach people what I know and learn each and every day. Next time do some more research, and maybe even ask people here, they are willing to help. I hope everything turns out well in the long run, and you know what, some things were just ment to be.

what is IBD? thats what everyone is saying it may be but I dont know what it is really.

I don't think PetCo will pay the vet bill for you.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

I don't think PetCo will pay the vet bill for you.

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really? because when we bought him they said "if he has any signs of being sick bring him back and we will foot the bill.we will either give you another snake or treat the one you have" those were his exact words

im wicked srry about everything prayers to you

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Originally Posted by doodisgurl

really? because when we bought him they said "if he has any signs of being sick bring him back and we will foot the bill.we will either give you another snake or treat the one you have" those were his exact words

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By their health guarantee, they are responsible for expenses. Make sure you have all of the receipts and don't let any of the salesppl or a manager fob you off.

We bought R's corn Kishnah from PetCo, and our vet is their herp/exotics vet too, so I know they're responsible, as long as you meet their restrictions for the purchase.

I'd suggest calling first, to find out if they need the body, or if they'll reimburse you if YOU schedule & pay for the necropsy. It could be the mgr. needs to schedule... you'll have to find out from the store. But since he died w/in their time limit, they're responsible.

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Originally Posted by doodisgurl

what is IBD? thats what everyone is saying it may be but I dont know what it is really.

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Inclusion Body Disease.

It's a highly contagious, viral disease. Boas can be asymptomatic carriers but eventually die of it. Ball pythons die much more rapidly after contracting it.

Here's a couple of quick links for reading:

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/in.../bc/171413.htm


http://www.anapsid.org/ibd.html

http://www.klsnet.com/sicksnake.html :
Inclusion Body Disease
IBD is one of the most serious diseases found in captive snakes. It occurs only in the boid family, particularly in Burmese pythons and boa constrictors. The signs vary in different species and individuals, but typically involve neurological disturbances and possibly tumors and other illnesses. Classic signs of neurological damage include not righting itself when the snake is turned onto its back, "star-gazing," unresponsiveness or asymmetrical dilation of pupils, regurgitation and paralysis. If you suspect IBD in your snake, isolate it immediately and seek veterinary help. There is no treatment for IBD, and euthanasia is indicated. Proper quarantine (90-180 days) is recommended for all new snakes, and mites (possible transmitters) should be controlled. Cages from infected snakes should be bleached or discarded.

Be sure to contact and talk to your QUALIFIED herp vet.

I'm very sorry to hear you've lost the little one, it's awful to have one pass like that. I would say take the body back to PetCo and insist they find out what caused it's death as you have a right to know what mess they put you in. I wouldn't however agree to a replacement snake. If what killed it came out of their tanks, you'll only set yourself up for more heartbreak. They don't sell very good snakes and you're not the first one we've seen here with a sick or dying BP from them. I'd suggest you take a full refund or store credit for future dry stock instead.

Before you get your next BP, start a thread here dear and we'll help you set up a more appropriate enclosure for a baby. You might want to mention to that PetCo that selling you a 40 for a baby BP was nothing short of ripping you off. You won't get anywhere but it never hurts to say something. Get that credit/money back first though, before you tick those idiots off. They'll look for any excuse to not do right by you.

I'd suggest you think about purchasing a well started, healthy hatchling from a breeder and our members can assist you in finding a good, reputable breeder. Getting another mess of a snake from PetCo isn't something your family needs to deal with I would think. What an awful experience!

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Originally Posted by Purrrfect9

I'm pretty sure that it's 14 days. Tweets and I will never go back to Petco to buy another living thing there. When her female rat had an RI, she took her back to the Petco that she had bought her from ( it was within the 14 day limit) and her rat had died hours later from the RI, which she had found out that she had it since she had brought it home from the store. She noticed that there were very few rats that were out on display that day, which was when they put all of their qurantined animals out for display, and the manager told her that all but 1 large male rat had to be sent back because they all had RI's. I'm willing to bet that the male rat also has an RI, but just isn't showing signs of it yet.

But i would definately get a necropsy done on your BP to see if it was IBD or some intestinal problem or some sort of parasite. I'm truly sorry for your loss, and I hope that you find out the root of the problem.

When you're ready to get another snake, I would talk to some of the breeders here on the site. They will work with you to get healthy animals that they can ship to you for a very reasonable price.

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I got my ball python from a local petco. it was the healthiest looking one in their. and have had no problems with it yet. eats like a champ, just had its first shed and it was a complete one, (which im super stoked about). but i did stop by to get a mouse yesterday at the same petco and there was not a single mouse/rat/hampster in there. so im not gonna trust their mice i got to a small family owned store that ive always gone to.