Proper planning can prevent this occurrence. Proper diet is too often overlooked. Nutritional deficiencies are common problems among reptile pets. Don't feed a turtle hamburger. Pre-kill the rodents given to your snake.
Iguanas are susceptible to calcium deficiencies.
These are just a few examples. Never assume that feeding techniques you heard about in grammar school were accurate and dependable. Captive born and raised reptiles and amphibians always make the best herp pets. They are better adjusted to their domestic environment, are usually free of parasites and tend to be healthy pets. Wild caught animals tend to have problems adjusting to a captive environment.