What procedure does a private practitioner perform in the TB program?

The procedure that a private practitioner commonly performs in the TB (tuberculosis) program is caudal fold testing. This method is specifically used for testing livestock, especially cattle, to detect the presence of bovine tuberculosis, a serious and contagious disease affecting both animals and humans.

Caudal fold testing involves the injection of a tuberculin solution into the skin fold at the base of the tail of the animal. After a specified period, the injection site is examined for an immune response, indicating whether the animal has been exposed to the bacteria that cause TB. This is an essential part of managing and controlling tuberculosis in animal populations, especially in agricultural settings.

While procedures like complete blood work, X-ray examinations, and animal population control are vital in veterinary practices, they are not specifically associated with the TB testing procedure, which focuses on the detection of the disease through skin testing. Thus, caudal fold testing is the correct choice in the context of the TB program performed by private practitioners.