North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) Practice Test

What is the most appropriate step to take after a mule deer is suspected to have aspiration pneumonia?

1. Treat sick animal with high-dose penicillin

2. Cull sick animal, vaccinate herd against histophilosis

3. Report case to state health department

4. Perform an intradermal tuberculin test

The correct answer is: Report case to state health department

When it comes to managing a suspected case of aspiration pneumonia in a mule deer, the most appropriate step is to report the case to the state health department. This is crucial because state health departments track wildlife diseases that could potentially affect not just animal health, but human health as well. Aspiration pneumonia can indicate underlying problems, and the issue may reflect a broader concern regarding wildlife health which can lead to significant ecological consequences and the spread of diseases. Additionally, notifying the health authorities ensures that experts can assess the situation, possibly conduct further investigations, and prevent the spread of disease, particularly if this condition has potential implications for public health or the health of other wildlife or livestock. Considering the other options, while treating the animal with antibiotics like penicillin may seem practical, such treatment would not address potential underlying causes and may be less effective if other pathogens are involved. Culling and vaccinating the herd could be valuable in a different scenario, especially if there is evidence of a contagious disease, but it is not an immediate priority for a singular case of aspiration pneumonia. Performing an intradermal tuberculin test would assess for tuberculosis rather than addressing aspiration pneumonia directly. Therefore, reporting the case ensures that appropriate actions are taken based on the findings and expertise of