WARNING For Mice From Petco/PetSmart

Colorado Springs CO

Description

I've visited Petco on Prominent Pt and PetSmart on Southgate Rd where I purchased four young Mice. I also had an older male rescued from Craigslist that apparently also came from Petco. The reason I'm sending out this warning is because I think there's a disease going around big box stores that affect Mice and possibly other rodents or small mammals. Here's why: Char and Peppercorn (all black females from PetSmart) both passed 2 weeks after and only a day apart. Neither showed any symptoms of being sickly - they just "up and died." I got them 5 1/2 months ago. Gingerbread (bought with the other two girls) was a happy, go-lucky girl who loved shoulder rides! But she started acting strangely all of a sudden with extreme fatigue, fluffed up fur, and diarrhea. Two days later, she passed. I found her laying on her side with her back legs extended. Cheesecake was a sweet REW from Petco. He was friendly, gave me kisses, and enjoyed trips to the mall where he got plenty of attention! He developed symptoms like Gingerbread's and passed the same way she did - sudden, on his side, with fluffed up fur and his back legs extended. I got him not even 2 weeks ago. Lastly is Merci, my beloved boy I rescued from Craigslist 6 months ago. He was about a year and 7 months old but still very active and enjoyed snatching treats from my hand! I introduced the two boys (I wanted to ensure they got along enough so they wouldn't fight just in case one escaped and found his way into the other's enclosure). After Cheesecake's sudden death a few days ago, Merci was frantic and depressed. He passed suddenly last night with the same symptoms as both Gingerbread and Cheesecake. Even after keeping Mice for 7 years, I have no idea why any of them passed this way and so suddenly. Just be cautious when buying Mice from pet stores! I don't want you or your family to have heartache, or your reptile to get sick!