RT Book, Section
A1 Zafren, Ken
A1 Thurman, R. Jason
A1 Jones, Ian D.
A2 Knoop, Kevin J.
A2 Stack, Lawrence B.
A2 Storrow, Alan B.
A2 Thurman, R. Jason
SR Print(0)
ID 1181050942
T1 Gila Monster Envenomation
T2 The Atlas of Emergency Medicine, 5e
YR 2021
FD 2021
PB McGraw-Hill
PP New York, NY
SN 9781260134940
LK accessmedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1181050942
RD 2024/04/18
AB The  Gila  monster  (Heloderma  suspectum)  is  a  venomous  lizard  found  in  the  southwestern  United  States  and  northwestern  Mexico.  The  only  other  venomous  lizard  in  the  Americas  is  the  Mexican  beaded  lizard,  found  from  Mexico  to  Guatemala.  Both  species  are  unlikely  to  bite  unless  provoked.  They  secrete  venom  into  their  saliva  and  increase  saliva  production  when  they  are  agitated.  When  biting  their  victim,  the  Gila  monster  chews  rather  than  injecting,  is  known  to  hang  on  vigorously,  and  often  must  be  forced  to  release  its  powerful  grasp.  Teeth  may  break  off  and  contaminate  wounds.  Like  snake  venoms,  Gila  monster  and  beaded  lizard  venoms  are  complex  mixtures  of  proteolytic  enzymes  and  vasoactive  substances.  The  bite  may  cause  pain  with  local  edema  and  proximal  radiation.  Tachycardia  and  hypotension  may  occur,  along  with  anaphylactic  reactions.  Systemic  complaints  may  include  generalized  weakness,  nausea  and  vomiting,  diaphoresis,  and  paresthesias.