Case Study ET 03/23

One of my service users in my house owns a gecko whom he got independently, he has had this gecko for a while now.

When we learned that he was getting one ET was supported to purchase a book on how to look after a gecko and to learn about. Recently there have been concerns around the gecko and ET looking after it, staff have sat with ET and explained about what the gecko needs to survive, how to feed him and the kind of things the gecko needs to be able to retrieve the nutrients and have a balanced diet however ET does choose to listen to advice.

ET has had to take his gecko previously to the vets due to his leg being hurt as being pulled around and was given treatment. Staff sat with him again and explained how to look after and around being gentle, also showing him the leaflet the vets have given him explaining what to do and how to look after.

After receiving many complaints from staff around the gecko and its welfare, and that the gecko looks unwell and ET not listening to any advice or letting us support him I contacted the RSPCA to speak to them about the concerns.

The RSPCA visited ET and ha looked at the gecko and advised it must be taken to the vets immediately to be looked at, they explained that the heat pads must be turned down as they are too hot and that his lights need to be turned on and kept on for a certain amount of time.

ET was reluctant to listen to any advice but with a lot of prompting and encouragement from staff around the welfare of his gecko ET did take it to be looked at by the vets. The vets have looked at the gecko, advised it needs treatment for broken leg, sores that are infected and has given it antibiotic treatment cream and pain relief and again advised ET to follow instructions and have said he needs to go back in 10 days to see if the gecko is better and if not it may need to be put down.

Staff have been prompting ET to follow with the treatment and with their observation he has been doing this, he will not listen to keep the lights on and to turn the mat down. I have emailed his care manager and continued to keep in touch with the RSPCA for follow ups and explained around ET understanding of the situation.

Download the Case Study