Gila Monster Envenomation: A Review for the Emergency Medicine Physician

John Ashurst,Robert Cannon

doi:10.5171/2013.125821

Abstract

An envenomation from a lizard is a rare occurrence but the emergency medicine physician must be aware of its treatment and potential complications. In southwestern United States, the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum , and Mexican beaded lizard, Heloderma horridum , represent the only two venomous lizards that occur naturally in the wild. When envenomation from the Gila monster occurs the patient will complain of pain and paresthesia at the wound site but may also depict systemic symptoms of hypotension, anaphylaxis and myocardial infarction. Treatment should include local wound care, tetanus prophylaxis and antibiotics aimed at salmonella for those experiencing local symptoms. For those with systemic symptoms aggressive treatment should ensue. Although there is potential for mortality, the literature has shown that there have been no fatalities related to these lizards.

Highlights

In the United States there are an estimated 3% of households that currently own one or more pet reptiles and the market for reptiles grosses approximately 2 billion dollars annually.1Although the most common of these lizards is the iguana, many enthusiasts own the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, through special permits and international trade.[2]
An envenomation from a lizard is a rare occurrence but the emergency medicine physician must be aware of its treatment and potential complications
When envenomation from the Gila monster occurs the patient will complain of pain and paresthesia at the wound site but may depict systemic symptoms of hypotension, anaphylaxis and myocardial infarction

Summary

Introduction

In the United States there are an estimated 3% of households that currently own one or more pet reptiles and the market for reptiles grosses approximately 2 billion dollars annually.1Although the most common of these lizards is the iguana, many enthusiasts own the Gila monster, Heloderma suspectum, through special permits and international trade.[2].

Lizard Characteristics

Venom Apparatus

Findings

Conclusion