Thanks, Suki, for publishing this list of newly designated diplomates :-) <http://www.abvp.com/lib_general/newdiplomates/2009-ClassofDiplomates.pdf> I'm proud to announce that Charlie's veterinarian, Dr. Cathy Johnson-Delaney in Kirkland WA, is now ABVP board certified in the new Exotic Companion Mammal practice (she has also earned her ABVP Avian Diplomate certification)! To those who don't know what this represents ... ABVP Diplomates are board certified in clinical practice for the species in which the certification was granted and have demonstrated that they are capable of providing a level of clinical practice clearly superior to the norm of the profession by completing an extensive certification process through a recognized specialty organization (such as ABVP). Most veterinarians who are performing broad-based clinical practice are not board-certified. ABVP Diplomates differ from regular veterinarians in the depth of knowledge and competency they, as board certified veterinarians, demonstrate in their field and the level of veterinary service they are able to provide. I consider myself SOOO lucky and blessed that I have almost a dozen very "ferret knowledgeable" veterinarians within a 30 mile radius of me and at least half of these vets work in or own/operate practices specifically focused on exotics, which include ferrets. Besides Dr. Cathy, three of these other veterinarians are working to get ABVP board certified in the new Exotic Companion Mammal practice, which is fantastic! So if you find yourself working with a vet who isn't as knowledgeable about ferrets as you would like and your veterinary choices are limited, I would highly recommend that the veterinarian consult with a BOARD CERTIFIED DVM. You can find Dr. Cathy's contact info here: http://www.eaeamc.com/index.html Hoping y'all are having a great start to the new year! :-) Jennifer & Charlie "Our purpose in life is to find our gift, perfect it, and give it back to others" [Posted in FML 6566]