At Home
The first course of action to take when your cat is attacked by either a Gila monster or a Mexican beaded lizard is to remove the lizard from the cat. There are several ways to do this, but you should take note that the lizard will be intensely enraged so extreme caution must be taken to ensure the lizard does not continue biting your cat or even try to bite you.
- Pry it Off: Insert a hard stick, metal rod, or another kind of prying instrument into the lizard’s mouth and direct it toward the back of the throat to force the lizard to let go.
- Vinegar or Alcohol: Pour vinegar or alcohol into the lizard’s mouth or onto its nose. It is suggested that you use drinking alcohol and not rubbing alcohol, because rubbing alcohol is considered harmful to the lizard. Both the Gila monster and the Mexican beaded lizard are federally protected species, so harming either could violate the law.
- Fire and Ice: As a last resort, try putting a flame under the lizard’s chin to convince it to let go, or you can submerge it in a bucket of very cold water.
If you are unable to pry the lizard loose, take your cat to the veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately with the lizard still attached. Keep your cat as calm as possible so that the lizard does not continue to bite and release venom.
There is no antivenin for lizard bite poisoning, so basic first aid is administered until you can take your cat to your veterinarian. Wash the wound and irrigate it well with running water. Then apply pressure to the wound to control bleeding. Do not use any tourniquets or compressive bandaging.
Because the lizard’s teeth are brittle and not directly attached to its jaw, they will break off and remain embedded in your cat’s skin (the lizard will grow them back). Gently use tweezers or a needle to remove any teeth that you see. Once you are at the veterinarian’s office, x-rays will reveal the location of any hidden teeth, including those under the surface of the wound.
Do not apply ice, since it may cause additional damage to the blood vessels. If the bite occurred on a leg, place a splint on the leg to prevent unnecessary movement.
If your cat is showing signs of shock, try to keep your cat on its back until you reach the veterinarian’s office.
At the Veterinarian’s Office
Since there is no antivenin, treatment will be based on clinical evidence and your cat’s symptoms.
After you arrive, your doctor will continue flushing the wound with lidocaine or sterilized saline while your cat’s blood pressure is monitored for hypotension. Intravenous fluids may be administered to help control any arrhythmia as well as respiratory support if breathing is labored. X-rays may be taken to check for teeth hidden under the skin. Additional testing for underlying conditions may be conducted if your cat is experiencing an extreme reaction to the venom.
Once stabilized, medication to control pain and broad-spectrum antibiotics will be given because of harmful bacteria in the lizard’s mouth.