All dead

[GarterGuy]

It's not been a good week. I lost both of the two baby blue phase T.ordinoides. They both seemed to be doing very well and looked really good. One of them early last week, just became sluggish and wouldn't eat at all. I had thought that it was just getting ready to shed again, but within two more days it was dead. The other one did the same thing early this week. I have NO IDEA what happened and I'm really upset over this, I really put a lot into getting these guys through and it all amounted to nothing. This is actually the first time I've ever lost any snakes that I've gotten before and it's really upsetting me. I don't think that I'll ever order snakes online from someone that I don't know or who isn't well respected as a herpetoculturist. I can't help think that no matter what I did, these poor little guys just were'nt going to make it. I'll pass this on as a word of warning to those that are thinking of doing the same as I did. Remember, if you can't actually see the snakes and know exactly what it is your getting; then you could really be in for some problems.

[Stefan-A]

I'm truly sorry for your loss.

Is there some authority you can contact about having the snakes examined? Just to rule out the possibility of an infectious disease. I know some people over here send their dead pets to the Finnish Food Safety Authority, which performs autopsies on livestock, as well as pets, for a reasonable fee.

[Cazador]

Hey Roy,
I'm really sorry to hear that you lost your blue pickeringii. Remember that I ordered two yearlings and two adults from the same guy who sold you yours, and my two yearlings also died. Here's what I make of it. Not only was he feeding goldfish, but the shipment up here during the winter further stressed them and probably weakened their immune system, which made them more vulnerable to infections and infestations than they normally would have been. I know it's tough, but based on your other posts it's clear that you were taking good care of them and their death wasn't the result of improper care.

I treated my older ones with panacur (dewormer) and multivitamins, and they seem to be doing fine. They had very runny stool at first, but now their stool has improved. I won't hibernate mine until after I've also treated them with Flagyl (anti-amoebic/protozoan medication). I just think they came to us parasitized, and the stress of winter shipment made them more susceptible. Again, I'm sorry for your loss .

At the very least, you should send him an e-mail to let him know what happened. I have. He might treat his snakes and offer you a discount in the spring. If nothing else, it lets him know that multiple customers are having similar problems with his snakes. I still have his e-mail address if you want it.
Rick

P.S. You might want to freeze your snakes in a zip-loc baggie in case you need them for later reference.

[GarterGuy]

At the very least, you should send him an e-mail to let him know what happened. I have. He might treat his snakes and offer you a discount in the spring. If nothing else, it lets him know that multiple customers are having similar problems with his snakes. I still have his e-mail address if you want it.
Rick

P.S. You might want to freeze your snakes in a zip-loc baggie in case you need them for later reference.

Yeh, I was planning on sending him an email anyways, to let him know that he's selling T.orinoides rather than T.s.pickeringii. I do have them all in the freezer already. I know pretty much nothing will get done from this and I'm not entirely sure if I want other snakes from him that might give me yet more problems. Part of me also is not sure if I want to support someone who takes such poor care of the animals that he's selling either, by getting more animals from him. I know that not a lot of garters are captive bred yet, especially here in the US,...but it does upset me that soo many have to die just to get a couple to live. Not sure where to go with this now. Thanx for the thoughts and I'll keep you all up dated on what happens from here.

--Roy

[Cazador]

Oops. I got it in my head that we bought pickeringii and sometimes I still think of them that way.

[sschind]

I am sorry for your loss garterguy, I was looking into some of those same snakes but a word of warning from Cazador plus some financial problems made me think better of it. I'm glad I didn't now but I know that doesn't make you feel any better. Hopefully it won't be too long until decent cbb garters are as available as corns and we won't be forced to buy unknown snakes from unknown people just to get the animals we want.

[abcat1993]

is this that guy called "Bob" that everybody was talking about. I wouldn't buy from him anymore. PetCo's cricket fed garters sound better well kept than his. Or maybe he just doesn't treat their diseases. I don't really know much about him though.

[Thamnophis]

Roy, I also am sorry for your loss.

[KITKAT]

My adults are still apparently fine... so if they breed and I get healthy young, you would be welcome to a couple then. I'm sure if I get that far in the project, I will post photos and news on the forum...

[Cazador]

Hi Abcat,
We're all talking about the same guy... the "Bob" that advertises on kingsnake.com.

Kitkat,
Glad to hear yours are doing well. Have you been treating them, and do you plan to brumate them? I'll brumate mine after I've finished treating them. They'll probably have a late litter as a result, so I expect my babies to be smaller than others (if they reproduce at all).

Rick