frustrated

Well here I go again. I usually don’t post, I just read and go on. However….all of a sudden I get like 15 messages from this Group on the “frustrated” issue. For starters, I don’t personally know anyone in this Group, haven’t purchased from anyone in here either. I took offense first at the remark about the Vet stating that pet shops didn’t usually know if something was wrong with a Diamondback. Well, most pet shops don’t even sell them. Mostly sell red ears and cooters. I know from the two males I got first from NERD that Diamondbacks are hard from hatchlings. Mine were supposedly captive, and are some of the most spectacular Centratas I’ve ever seen. After having to doctor eyes every day for months, they got alright. Since captive, they were kept in fresh water at 85 degrees with a constant basking spot. Not much turbidity from filtration in the water. Water changes were done about every other week. I inquired later about getting some more as I was told that they were raised by the supplier. I was told then that they didn’t know what species Diamondback they were and that they didn’t have anymore. Atleast Jonathan knows what his are and has some each year. To come to his defense further, I have a Pet Shop that specializes in reptiles, which covers turtles as well and would never recommend Diamondbacks especially hatchlings, to anyone who has only kept red ears and musks or muds. I think they are difficult to keep from that stage. I also know how the general public is about not being successful with an animal. It is always the sellers fault and always the seller was told from the beginning that there was a problem. (NOT) My last concern is this….if you are disabled and are on treatment for a disease, then aquatic turtles or reptiles are not something you should even be keeping. I am sorry for your problems and illness but someone failed to tell you any facts about keeping turtles, unless of course they were unaware. I and my Employees ALWAYS caution people about keeping Reptiles and Turtles with small children, older people, or immune supressed individuals. Good luck to you. I really hope you manage to save them, but two months sounds like a long time to me for them to still be sick from the get go.