🚨 Emergency or out of hours? 0131 516 2499 | Calls auto-forward to ICR Loanhead out of hours | ⚠️ Pet eaten something? Poison guide

Home › Your first visit

Your pet's care

Your first visit —
here is exactly
what to expect.

Starting with a new vet can feel like a big step. We want to make it as easy as possible. This page tells you everything — from how to register to what happens from the moment you arrive.

Call to register & book Pop in to say hello
⏰
No rushing, ever
First appointments are given extra time. We want to do this properly.
❓
No question is silly
We would rather you asked everything and left feeling confident.
At your pet's pace
Fear-free principles throughout. If they need time to settle, we give them time.
Fixed, transparent pricing
A consultation is £60. You will know the cost before you come in.

Getting started

Registering with us — three easy ways

Registration takes just a few minutes and only needs to happen once. Choose whatever works best for you.

By phone
Call us on 0131 516 2499 and our client care team will take your details and book your first appointment at the same time. Quick, easy, done.
❤️ Always welcome
Pop in in person
Come in any time during opening hours — pets always welcome. The team will be delighted to meet you both and can get you registered while you are here. No appointment needed just to say hello.
Via email
We will also ask for your previous vet's details so we can arrange for clinical history to reach us before your first appointment — giving your vet time to review it and arrive fully prepared.
📋 What we need to register you
Your name
Your address
Mobile number
Email address
Pet's name & date of birth
Species & breed
Previous vet (if transferring)
That's it — we do the rest

You are always welcome

New to TWC? Come in and say hello.

You do not need an appointment to pop in and say hello. We love meeting new clients and their pets — it is one of our favourite parts of the job. Come in, have a look around, meet the team, and let your pet get a feel for the place.

It makes such a difference. A pet that has visited once before just to say hello — had a treat, sniffed around, met a friendly face — arrives for their first appointment in a completely different state of mind.

Our client care team can also get you registered while you are here, so your first appointment is ready to book whenever you need it.

Get directions Call us first
💡
Especially valuable for nervous pets
A hello visit gives anxious pets a chance to associate the practice with good things — treats, friendly faces, no clinical procedures — before anything medical needs to happen.
When to pop in
🕐
Monday – Friday
8:30am – 6:00pm
🕐
Saturday
9:00am – 12:00pm
📍
Address
73–77 Whitehill Street
Newcraighall, Musselburgh EH21 8QZ · Parking on site
📍
Cameron Toll
Cameron Toll Shopping Centre
Edinburgh · Opening August 2026
🐾
Pets
Always welcome
Dogs, cats, small furries — bring them along

Step by step

What happens from the moment you arrive

1
Arrival
You are welcomed by our client care team. Dogs go to the main waiting area. Cats go directly to our dedicated cat-only space — completely separate, calm and dog-free. If you have a nervous pet, let us know when you call to book and we can arrange for you to wait in the car.
📍 73–77 Whitehill Street, Newcraighall, Musselburgh EH21 8QZ · Parking on site
📍 Cameron Toll Shopping Centre, Edinburgh · Opening August 2026
2
Meeting your vet
Your vet will collect you from the waiting area. We start by letting your pet explore the room and settle at their own pace — we do not put them straight on the table. For dogs we often start on the floor. For cats we let them come out of their carrier in their own time.
3
The consultation
We start by listening. Tell us everything — why you are here, your pet's history, what you have noticed, what concerns you. Nothing is too small to mention. A thorough physical examination follows — nose to tail, handled gently throughout.
4
Discussion, options and plan
We explain our findings clearly — what we think is going on, what the options are, and what we recommend. We discuss, we do not dictate. You are part of the decision. If there are costs involved, we tell you before anything happens.
❤️ Considering the Pet Wellness Plan? Ask at your first appointment. Join at your first visit and that visit is included in the plan.
5
Before you leave
Every question answered. Your invoice is clear and itemised. We book any follow-up appointments needed and send you home with clear instructions for any treatments or medications.
6
After the visit
Contact us any time with any questions or concerns. Our support continues beyond the consultation.

Before you come

What to bring to your first appointment

You do not need to bring much — but these things help us give your pet the best possible start with us.

📄
Previous veterinary records
If transferring from another vet, please ensure clinical history reaches us before your appointment — not on the day. Email documents to [email protected] or ask us to request them directly.
💉
Vaccination certificate
Your pet's vaccination booklet or certificate — helps us continue the right schedule without gaps or repeats.
💊
Current medications
A list of anything your pet is currently taking — prescription or over the counter. If you have the packaging, bring it.
🦴
A few favourite treats
Especially if your pet is food-motivated or anxious. Treats make examinations easier and help build positive associations with visiting us.
📝
Your questions — written down
It is easy to forget things in the moment. Write down anything you want to ask. There is no question too small — we will work through every one.
🐱
For cats — a familiar blanket
Place a familiar-smelling blanket in the carrier. Consider spraying with Feliway at least 30 minutes before the journey.

Making it easier

Tips for your pet's visit

🚶
A walk before the appointment
A good walk beforehand means your dog arrives more settled and less overwhelmed by the waiting room.
🦴
Come with treats
High-value treats your dog loves. We use treats throughout the examination — your dog's favourites work best.
😊
Stay calm yourself
Dogs read their owners. If you are anxious about the visit, they will sense it. We will take care of the rest.
🐕
Nervous dogs — tell us in advance
If your dog has had difficult vet experiences before, let us know when you book. We will plan extra time and have strategies ready.
🚗
Wait in the car if needed
If the waiting room would stress your dog, call us on arrival. We will collect you directly. Just let us know when you book.
✋
Practice handling at home
Gently handle your dog's ears, paws and mouth regularly at home. Dogs that are used to being touched find examinations much less stressful.
🌿
Feliway in the carrier
Spray inside the carrier with Feliway at least 30 minutes before travel. This synthetic pheromone significantly reduces feline travel anxiety.
👕
A familiar-smelling blanket
Place a blanket or item of clothing that smells of home inside the carrier. Familiar scent is one of the most effective calming tools.
📦
Leave the carrier out at home
Cats that only see their carrier on vet day associate it with stress. Leave it out with bedding inside — cats that sleep in their carrier travel far more calmly.
🚗
Cover the carrier in the car
A light blanket over the carrier reduces visual stimulation. Cats feel safer when they cannot see movement around them.
🐱
Our cat waiting area
You will go straight to our dedicated cat-only waiting area — completely separate from dogs. No dog scent, no dog noise.
⏱️
We never rush cats
We let your cat come out of the carrier in their own time, explore the room and settle before any examination begins.

Common questions

First visit questions

How do I register my pet?

Three ways: call us on 0131 516 2499, pop into the practice in person — pets always welcome — or email us. Registration only takes a few minutes.

What information do you need to register us?

Just the basics: your name, address, mobile number and email, plus your pet's name, date of birth, species and breed — and your previous vet if you are transferring. We do the rest.

What should I bring to the first appointment?

Your pet's vaccination certificate, a list of any current medications (bring the packaging if you have it), a few favourite treats, and your questions written down. For cats, a familiar blanket in the carrier helps.

My pet is registered elsewhere — what happens to their records?

If you are transferring from another vet, please make sure their clinical history reaches us before your appointment rather than on the day. Email documents to [email protected], or ask us to request them from your previous practice directly.

Can I visit before deciding to register?

Absolutely — come in any time during opening hours and say hello. Pets are always welcome, no appointment needed, and our client care team can register you on the spot if you decide to join.

Ready to get started?
We'd love to meet you.

Call us to register and book your first appointment — or simply pop in any time during opening hours. Pets always welcome.

Call 0131 516 2499 Pop in to say hello Email us

Already registered elsewhere?

Looking for a second opinion?

If your pet has received a diagnosis or treatment recommendation and you would like another clinical perspective, we welcome second opinion consultations. These are given more time than a standard appointment — £120. Handled with discretion and respect for your current practice.

Find out more
Not sure if your pet needs to be seen? Use our clinical triage tool for guidance on urgency — with time-aware, out-of-hours advice. Is my pet okay? Could my pet be in pain? Animals hide pain remarkably well. Our quick at-home check walks you through the subtle signs in dogs and cats. Try the pain check Think your pet ate something? The common household and garden dangers, the signs to watch for, and how to act fast. Poison & toxins guide A picture is worth a thousand words A short video of your pet at home — how they move, how they hesitate — tells us more than a description. Send it securely before your visit. Send a video or photo