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A local pet store (normally a very good reptile store) has a male Argentine tegu for sale and has had him for almost a year. I happen to be looking for a male, but I wonder about this guy. He's very lethargic, seems well-fed, but has what looks like a sore or mushy lower jaw along the mouth line. I took one of the guys aside and quietly asked if he had MBD, but the associate claims it is a fatty disorder that tegus are prone to. I've never heard of this and couldn't find a thing on-line. Does anyone else have any info on this? Should I consider making them an offer on this tegu or just bypass it and find something healthier? The tegu I'm looking for would be used in educational programs and as a breeding prospect. I like high white contrast tegus and this guy looks like he fits the bill and is about the same size as my female. However, they are asking about $300 and that is just way too much, IMO. _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
Hi laura, when I go to pet stores or see a reptile that needs better care I always want to take them and nurse them back to health and that is exactly what I end up doing.
on the hand, I think I don't want to give this pet store or person any money to keep them in business and getting more reptiles / animals if he is not going to treat them properly.
that was the best thing to do when you took the guy aside and quietly talked with him. good for you !
under Calcium Deficiency it does in fact read that 'floppy Jaw' is one of the first signs of MBD.
imo, $300. is much too high of a price. perhaps you can make a deal with the owner or tell him you would like to purchase the tegu but you don't want to promote his mishandling of reptiles and make him very much aware of it.
it's a pros or cons thing. tell us what choice you end up making ....*curious*.
Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Central FL
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 5:46 pm Post subject:
They know me, we've done business for years. They buy baby beardies and corns from me at wholesale and I know a lot of people who work there. Some are pretty cool, some think I'm a cook, some think they know everything and everyone else is a dummy.
I would only offer $100...seriously. I was going to offer $250 for another large B/W and a mean red male last year when they wanted $300 each and they said they probably would have taken it. It seems that every animal I own has a story. My 4yo tegu was bought from a rescue type situation for $150, my Colombian was a rescue sort of deal, untamed and bought as a package with a bunch of other herps, my juvenile was a prize from Varnyard. I'll keep you posted. _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
if not thats just negligince. sorry, i really have no idea how to spell neglagince tell him to uvb that big boy!! _________________ 1.1.0 Arg B/W Tegu Joker n Groxy
1.0.0 Australian Water Dragon "Spyro"
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider "Turdy"
0.1.0 White Dwarf Hamster "MiMi"
1.1.0 Black&Albino Kingsnakes "Pearl & Hannibal"
Joined: Oct 16, 2007 Posts: 2514 Location: San Antonio,TX
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:58 am Post subject:
Even if they have a UVB bulb in there it is hard to tell if the UVB is still strong enough.Every reptile store should have a inframeter that test on how strong the UVB is ( they are very expensive but I was thinking about getting one so I know for sure when to replace the bulbs ).Ask them if they have one and see if they can check the bulb with it in front of you.
Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Central FL
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 6:58 am Post subject:
They have a UV, but I think it's too far overhead. They're not going to listen to me...it's just that kind of place (they're the experts). I've checked this guy out almost every week for a year. Normally all of their animals look great, but they run a business and this guy is probably eating their profit and no one is interested in him, looking like that. When they get a red, they can move it for $300 pretty quick, but this old guy's not going anywhere anytime soon. I'm just such a softie! _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Central FL
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 4:05 pm Post subject:
*sigh* It's a female. I just can't abide by another female tegu when I can only afford/have room for 1 more and I really want a male. I did chat with a different person, didn't get the whole story on this goo, but she did perk up when he opened the cage and she thought food was coming. She's a fatty!
I wish her well. _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Central FL
Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject:
Honestly, would you spend $300 on a tegu with a deformed face whose jaws extend way beyond the upper jaw line? OK, if I had the money and the space, I would. Since it's a female and not a male, the price won't come down as much as I had hoped and I just can't afford what they are asking.
Now I just can't think of it anymore because it makes me sad to think of that poor creature. But I already have 3 sickly Beardies that were rescued from an MBD type situation that I'm working on and one has yellow fungus (dreaded gasp). I also have three clutches of eggs due to hatch next week and that will make me a very busy person indeed. Plus a young iguana that I rescued and spent $120 on at the vet working on it's nasty skin/MBD that I'm trying to tame along with a young tegu that needs attention. Oh, and my Aussie just had $3000 knee surgery.....really, not kidding there. I also have a husband who is very, VERY patient with me and my animals, but if I go PURCHASE this sick animal at a high price, he may just have a heart attack.
Every time I think of getting that tegu, I need to re-read that paragraph! LOL! My daughter wants a male red so she can breed redxblack crosses. I may have to save up and head to Daytona this August. _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
you're doing the right thing laurafl you gotta pick your battles, and it looks like you've picked them well. _________________ 1.1.0 Arg B/W Tegu Joker n Groxy
1.0.0 Australian Water Dragon "Spyro"
1.0.0 Red Eared Slider "Turdy"
0.1.0 White Dwarf Hamster "MiMi"
1.1.0 Black&Albino Kingsnakes "Pearl & Hannibal"
i was just at pet bazaar yesterday (if this is the place i think it is)
and i believe they had it marked down to $250
i noticed the same deformity myself and more than that how mopey it seemed
i have been in there many times and its a favorite for getting caging and herp supplies when i need something on the spot, however, i was not impressed with that tegu either
you could try looking at the FIRE show at the convention center this weekend and may not have to wait for the breeder's expo, just a thought
if you don't mind, whom do you use for herp vet care? since i was wanting to make a change soon
Honestly, would you spend $300 on a tegu with a deformed face whose jaws extend way beyond the upper jaw line? OK, if I had the money and the space, I would. Since it's a female and not a male, the price won't come down as much as I had hoped and I just can't afford what they are asking.
Now I just can't think of it anymore because it makes me sad to think of that poor creature. But I already have 3 sickly Beardies that were rescued from an MBD type situation that I'm working on and one has yellow fungus (dreaded gasp). I also have three clutches of eggs due to hatch next week and that will make me a very busy person indeed. Plus a young iguana that I rescued and spent $120 on at the vet working on it's nasty skin/MBD that I'm trying to tame along with a young tegu that needs attention. Oh, and my Aussie just had $3000 knee surgery.....really, not kidding there. I also have a husband who is very, VERY patient with me and my animals, but if I go PURCHASE this sick animal at a high price, he may just have a heart attack.
Every time I think of getting that tegu, I need to re-read that paragraph! LOL! My daughter wants a male red so she can breed redxblack crosses. I may have to save up and head to Daytona this August.
Hi laura, you should be commended for all the great work you do. + juggling a family + coming here and helping others. thank you.
Last edited by angelrose on Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:16 pm, edited 1 time in total
i was just at pet bazaar yesterday (if this is the place i think it is)
and i believe they had it marked down to $250
i noticed the same deformity myself and more than that how mopey it seemed
i have been in there many times and its a favorite for getting caging and herp supplies when i need something on the spot, however, i was not impressed with that tegu either
you could try looking at the FIRE show at the convention center this weekend and may not have to wait for the breeder's expo, just a thought
if you don't mind, whom do you use for herp vet care? since i was wanting to make a change soon
Hello FurCrew, I Would Just Like to Welcome You to theTegu Forum Family.
come share your experiences and photos here in the gallery.
Joined: Oct 03, 2006 Posts: 536 Location: Central FL
Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 4:24 pm Post subject:
Thanks, angelrose, you're sweet!!
Yes, FurCrew, that's the one. I LUV Pet Bazaar, but that tegu thing isn't cool. And as much as I love those guys and have been spending my $$$ there for years, they don't take outside opinions very well. I've spoken to two different people about that goo and no one seems to particularly care.
I will probably pick up a red in August at the Daytona show. I'm looking to make some hybrid crosses (perhaps).
I use Dr. Orlando Diaz at Lk. Howell Animal Hospital, near PB. He's awesome, specializes in Avian and Exotics. He breeds tortoises, loves herps, and is very knowledgeable. Great guy...he even comes to the herp society meetings! I don't take my dog and cat there, but my herps go there. _________________ Laura R (FL)
0.1.0 Colombian Tegu
0.2.0 Argentine B&W Tegu
1.0.0 Red Tegu
1.0.0 Green Amevia (yet another teiid)
8 other lizards
1 little gator
13 snakes
4 frogs
some bugs
and a partridge in a pear tree
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