A referral appointment takes around an hour and your pet may need to be admitted for further tests thereafter. Your pet should have an empty stomach (food being withheld for 8 hours and water for 3 hours), but if you are unsure regarding this please contact your normal vet. The appointment will involve many questions about the skin &/or ear disease being investigated as well as your pet’s general health. It is important that your pet is ac- companied by someone who knows about these. It is helpful, but not essential, to make some notes before you attend the appointment regarding the development of the problem and to bring any tablets, shampoos or other treatments with you in case of a query. Your vet will provide a written history describing the veterinary aspects of the case and this may be faxed, posted or emailed, or you may be asked to bring it with you at the time of the appointment.