Is this that dreaded, vile yellow bump issue?

ReiGuy

Active Member
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Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
I think that it is very honorable of you to be discreet about not giving the name of the breeder. HOWEVER, if this breeder has known or even suspected for a short time and is continuing to sell these animals it is not fair for everyone not to know who it is so we do not recommend and/or buy any reptile from them. It has nothing to do with wanting to ruin them but everything to do with protecting future tort owners. This disease doesn't show up right away, as you have found out and is deadly!!. Maybe because I am a mother and a woman but I feel terrible for you and all these other new owners buying these babies and spending hundreds of dollars on all the equipment and enclosures to have him die a few months later.
I would honestly get him out of your house as soon as possible. It is so highly contagious. There is a guy in Florida that runs a Reptile Rescue. I see him on Facebook, Flint Flume. I'm not sure if he's a member here or not but he's done a lot of research on this disease and offers necropsies to people once their tort has passed. I'm sure you could call and talk to him. Seems like a nice guy.
I am very sorry about your baby. ?
Thank you for your support, my tort was put to rest yesterday. It was very tragic and I agree, that I want no one suffering like this.

Over a dozen people have pm'd me already with support and have asked who the seller is. Some were in the market for a sulcata this year and now they know to steer clear of this seller and go to someone reputable, compassionate, honest, and transparent like Tom.

I will be posting a review with the name of the person and my personal experience. I'm new here, so not sure I can share their name in this thread but if I am permitted to will now.

Because I was utterly disgusted with the experiences I heard from others as well.

A well respected member told me he bought 3 from him which all died and had austwickia. When he told the seller, it was hard to get him on the phone and when he told the seller he is out several grand in enclosure and supplies, the seller apparently did not really seem to care. And ONLY offered a partial tort refund.

My wife is Dr and was very interested in learning About auztwickia. She just came across flint too and showed me the posts. Flint seems like he is a member here of a different name... but I cannot be certain.

I don't have Facebook and told her to be wary of anything she reads on here, however, Flint's posting she showed me briefly, sounded similar to what mastershake is doing here on TFO, as I saw Flint is in Florida like him.
 

ReiGuy

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
that is actually me lol. i have been talking to him here sadly this baby has been euthanized and it was the right decision as absolutely heart breaking at it may be.
LOL I told my wife it had to be you! Thank you for sharing knowledge wherever you can <3
 

Chromatic

Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2021
Messages
27
Location (City and/or State)
Kentucky
I'm so sorry about this situation. I can relate- I'm new to having reptiles but I've always grown up with pets. I had to put my first dog down and I couldn't handle it. A few months later, my closest and best cat past away unexpectedly. It was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through- especially since it was pretty close after my dog passing. losing pets is like losing family- it's unbearable. It's very obvious that you deeply care about the wellbeing of your animals and that says a lot. sounds like the breeder doesn't really care... which is pretty disgusting.
I hope your snakes are doing okay.

I'm here for you if you ever need to chat. :<3:
 

ReiGuy

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
Here is the continuation of my text conversation with the seller. He refunded me and I advised that I put down my tort like he asked me to keep him updated. Also provided some additional feedback. I will await to see if he takes my advice regarding the cages. But again, he has already told me he's reusing the same ones infected tortoises were in. If he responds, I will post the updates here. I will also post screen shots from my phone once I write my official review. But right now it would show his name on my phone so is why I'm copying and pasting them:

Seller:
If you have PayPal,
I can deposit the money in your PayPal.
Does that work?
If so, I would need your email that you use for PayPal.

Me:
Do you have venmo? I don't have my PayPal setup to send money to my bank account. I only have a credit card setup to make payments. So would prefer you send via venmo or refund via the original source, which was my credit card.

Seller:
ok
I just paid you through venmo

Me:
Thanks.... I have received it

I paid to have the tortoise put down yesterday. This will help me recover part of that bill and the nearly $1,000 dollars I lost on my closed chamber and all the equipment I had to throw out.

Hoping one day I can save up enough money again to buy another closed chamber and a sulacata from Tom.


Be careful reusing those cages you have by the way. A well respected member told me that they threw out their closed chamber and all gear, which is why I also did. They said they couldn't risk it. Just sharing that as I know you have tons of animals like me... sincerely do not want you to go through more tragedies or future customers of yours to deal with the pain I've had to.
 

ReiGuy

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
Here is the continuation of my text conversation with the seller. He refunded me and I advised that I put down my tort like he asked me to keep him updated. Also provided some additional feedback. I will await to see if he takes my advice regarding the cages. But again, he has already told me he's reusing the same ones infected tortoises were in. If he responds, I will post the updates here. I will also post screen shots from my phone once I write my official review. But right now it would show his name on my phone so is why I'm copying and pasting them:

Seller:
If you have PayPal,
I can deposit the money in your PayPal.
Does that work?
If so, I would need your email that you use for PayPal.

Me:
Do you have venmo? I don't have my PayPal setup to send money to my bank account. I only have a credit card setup to make payments. So would prefer you send via venmo or refund via the original source, which was my credit card.

Seller:
ok
I just paid you through venmo

Me:
Thanks.... I have received it

I paid to have the tortoise put down yesterday. This will help me recover part of that bill and the nearly $1,000 dollars I lost on my closed chamber and all the equipment I had to throw out.

Hoping one day I can save up enough money again to buy another closed chamber and a sulacata from Tom.


Be careful reusing those cages you have by the way. A well respected member told me that they threw out their closed chamber and all gear, which is why I also did. They said they couldn't risk it. Just sharing that as I know you have tons of animals like me... sincerely do not want you to go through more tragedies or future customers of yours to deal with the pain I've had to.
Finally the last text I just sent him. Again, I'll post updates if he ever responds.

Me to seller:
I will also keep you posted on how my snake collection is doing. Masteshake on the forum told me he believes 6-8 months with no bumps on my snakes will put them in the clear. That's a long time from now. I'm very concerned for their lives.
 

AZGirl

Active Member
Joined
Sep 11, 2019
Messages
111
Location (City and/or State)
Arizona
So true and that's the sad part. Having to put down my beautiful, little smooth ball of a tort is going to be one of the hardest things I've ever done. Been in tears all day but after speaking to multiple experts on here, it just has to be done. I'll never forget this tort and how much joy it brought me. Tears are rolling down my face as I write this and I just am so upset and disgusted right now. Time heals all but this is gonna take a lot of time. I setup everything perfect, followed all the expert advice and chose the seller based on recommendations on this here forum, only for him to send me an infected baby.

I also found out the seller knew they had an issue with their January 2020 litter, from someone on this forum, but they proceeded to sell the July 2020 litter that I bought from anyway!!!!

This tells me they only care about $$$ and from the amount of sulacata they sell annually, should be ashamed of potentially infecting homes all over the USA.

I really hope they are not permitted to sell on here until they prove they've tested all animals and have clean babies. If not, future TFO members could have the same thing happen, just like me. I don't want them to feel what I am right now...

I literally saw people endorsing this person for hatchlings a few weeks ago.... enough is enough I am shining a bright light.

I am wishing the best for my snakes. I am in the process of consulting my attorney in case something very sad happens from all this.

For the record I would never, ever want to pursue legal action but I like to prepare for everything in life. And just like I prepared for my little sulacata and setup a closed chamber that will now be going in the garage - I will now prepare myself for justice for my animals if need be.

Animals are not commodities! Compassion over profits always.
Animals deserve justice, they have no voice.
I will be the voice of my animals.
Saying a prayer for you r heart. I
 

ReiGuy

Active Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
I'm so sorry about this situation. I can relate- I'm new to having reptiles but I've always grown up with pets. I had to put my first dog down and I couldn't handle it. A few months later, my closest and best cat past away unexpectedly. It was the hardest thing I'd ever gone through- especially since it was pretty close after my dog passing. losing pets is like losing family- it's unbearable. It's very obvious that you deeply care about the wellbeing of your animals and that says a lot. sounds like the breeder doesn't really care... which is pretty disgusting.
I hope your snakes are doing okay.

I'm here for you if you ever need to chat. :<3:
Thank you so much for your support <3 this means a lot to me. I am so sorry for your losses as well. I have 3 dogs of my own, Jagger, Hendrix, and Elton and I would be devastated if anything happened to them or my cats, Leyla and Bella. They all light up my life in their own unique ways. Im grateful to have the honor of sharing my lives with all of my animals ? please hang in there as well and I am also here for you if you ever need anything <3
 

mastershake

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5 Year Member
Joined
Jan 19, 2018
Messages
585
Location (City and/or State)
Florida
they know we went through this same situation with all the animals here. and while we know we practice EXTREMELY good bio here you just never know and how scary it was thinking one or more could have it now i really did not think we would have spread it but you always have that thought in your mind.... the what if i did this or what if i did that.... am i SURE i never touched anything etc. we are so careful with bio its like second nature here but that thought was there many months later and even to this day i think about that. and i told them we were tossing / burning everything they touched or came here. we do have their ashes in their urn because they were special to us here and as heart breaking as it was i did not want to forget them. we all miss them still to this day. this is why we always keep new animals away from anyone here and even in a separate facility usually till we are sure but not everyone can have the ability to do that.
 

ReiGuy

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Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
they know we went through this same situation with all the animals here. and while we know we practice EXTREMELY good bio here you just never know and how scary it was thinking one or more could have it now i really did not think we would have spread it but you always have that thought in your mind.... the what if i did this or what if i did that.... am i SURE i never touched anything etc. we are so careful with bio its like second nature here but that thought was there many months later and even to this day i think about that. and i told them we were tossing / burning everything they touched or came here. we do have their ashes in their urn because they were special to us here and as heart breaking as it was i did not want to forget them. we all miss them still to this day. this is why we always keep new animals away from anyone here and even in a separate facility usually till we are sure but not everyone can have the ability to do that.
And this is why you're awesome and a great person. You care for the animals over everything else. It was touching to read this.

Here is his respsone and my follow up. You'll notice he's says NOTHING ABOUT MY SNAKES. NO CONCERN FOR THEIR LIVES AT ALL...

Let's see if he responds again. And if I see a for sale ad on here from him, I will also ask him if its the same cages and if he bred or purchased the sulcatas he's selling.

Seller:
Thanks for the heads up about the cages. I will have to figure out what I am going to do with them.

Me:
Yes, please let me know what you decide, as the wrong choice could be critical for you and many others. I sincerely do not want to see more losses for you or anyone. This is so sad man. Im barely holding up myself.
 

ZenHerper

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Joined
Feb 27, 2020
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Location (City and/or State)
New Jersey
...is now all over the country even cases overseas. this could be something that is now here to stay permanently. and if any were released out in the wild then this can affect all species even those that may be endangered.

May already be a done deal; infective buggies can encapsulate and get around on their own. Carrier animals being kept outdoors probably shed a lot of bacteria onto the ground. Then it rains.

Do we have studies about how Auswickia survives/behaves in soil over time? And across all climatic zones and conditions?

***********************

People need to quarantine. new. animals. no. exceptions. full. stop. No one taking on new colony animals should plan to have eggs (i.e. potential sales) from those animals for at least a year. Rescues will need new separate facilities for newly-surrendered animals, and updated policies for adoptions.

Of course, people always find ways to make Special exceptions for themselves. This is a mess...

Anyone depending on sales as a significant source of income has to take this all very seriously.
 

ReiGuy

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Joined
Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
Always why we can't have nice things...
i agree this needs to be halted the issue is the breeders that may be responsible do not nor did they seem to care when approached about it and this will not stop them from breeding this year.
I completely agree. You all saw how the seller responded to me about his cages... and he is a breeder, who should have the highest standards. Ill continue asking about his practices and updates on his caging.

Meanwhile, I'm not a breeder but took it seriously enough to throw mine out. Mastershake threw out 3 enclosures... All breeders should be taking it just as serious in my humble opinion.

And if not willing to change, should not have the privilege of selling here. They are undermining the good faith of the members working so hard to help people.
 

ReiGuy

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Sep 4, 2020
Messages
82
Location (City and/or State)
NJ
May anyone please let me know where I can find the list of all current moderators here? I would like to PM them but cant find a listing of what members they are?
 

Yvonne G

Old Timer
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You click on "members" and you'll find the moderators there.

In my case, on my Kindle, I click on the three horizontal bars to the left if the forum's insignis at the top of the page .
 
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