What are the most common mechanical issues? Can we safeguard against them?

[CritterFan]

Hi! If all goes well, I will be picking up my new Pleo on Sunday from my parents' home. (They took in the FedEx delivery from my step a few days ago, because I wasn't on hand to get it myself.)

Anyway, my goal is to keep my Pleo in the best possible state of repair. If there is anything I need to avoid doing, to prevent myself from causing an avoidable problem, I would like to know ahead of time.

So far, I have read about cosmetic issues like paint flaking from teeth or wearing off the body. I also have read about tears to the skin -- is there anything in particular that I can do to ward that problem off?

And, most concerning, there seems to be an issue with snapped necks. Is this happening primarily to the Pleos that were shipped early on, or are newer Pleos having this problem, also? Other than convincing him not to do headstands, is there anything that can be done to help prevent this from happening?

How about other problems -- are there any other issues that have been reported a significant number of times, which I'm unaware of because I haven't read the threads or plog entries that discuss the problems yet?

I'm in a "Forewarned is forearmed" state of mind, so I figured that the best thing I could do is ask.

[mweed]

Best way to prevent paint flaking and wear: Never touch your pleo.
Best way to avoid skin tears and cracks: Don't turn your pleo on.
Best way to avoid broken necks and tails: Don't take your pleo out of the box.

Now, I know all that sounds silly, but it's true. People who have reported treating their pleos with the utmost care, still get broken pleos. SO my suggestion is to enjoy your pleo and just play with it. I mean, don't do anything obviously stupid, like trying to juggle your pleo, But don't treat it like a heirloom doll either.

The paint is about the only thing I seen that you can actively work to protect. Apply a protective coating to the skin, like baby powder or Gibbs sealant, and get a shirt or other covering for his back and sides. Pat him rather than rubbing/stroking. And remember the teeth and eyes are easy to touch up with paint.

[PleoWorldHostCami]

Best way to prevent paint flaking and wear: Never touch your pleo.
Best way to avoid skin tears and cracks: Don't turn your pleo on.
Best way to avoid broken necks and tails: Don't take your pleo out of the box.

Now, I know all that sounds silly, but it's true. People who have reported treating their pleos with the utmost care, still get broken pleos. SO my suggestion is to enjoy your pleo and just play with it. I mean, don't do anything obviously stupid, like trying to juggle your pleo, But don't treat it like a heirloom doll either.

The paint is about the only thing I seen that you can actively work to protect. Apply a protective coating to the skin, like baby powder or Gibbs sealant, and get a shirt or other covering for his back and sides. Pat him rather than rubbing/stroking. And remember the teeth and eyes are easy to touch up with paint.

Once again I take my hat off to you mweed! Excellent post...I couldn't have said it better myself! :)