My cat Nyan (male, Minuet breed) recently underwent neutering surgery. As a first-time cat owner, this was my very first experience with “cat surgery.” I hope this post can be helpful for others who will go through the same experience — so I’ve written up the whole day, including the costs.
About Nyan
Nyan was born in July 2025 and is a Minuet cat. With his short legs, round face, and fluffy coat, he belongs to a breed that was once known as the Napoleon. He came home with us from a pet shop in mid-October, and has since settled in as if he owns the place.
How We Came to Consider Neutering
Not long after bringing him home, Nyan caught a cat cold and had an upset stomach, so we took him to the vet. The vet advised us: “If you’re keeping him indoors and don’t plan to breed, you should think about neutering around six months of age.”
We were also told that “if the testicles have descended properly, it’s a very standard procedure that’s done in a single day.” From around the end of the year, we visited the clinic twice while waiting for the right timing — and in February, we finally made the decision.
The Morning of Surgery
That morning, I dropped Nyan off at the clinic. As I was filling out the admission form at the reception desk, something caught my attention. ——The form included liability clauses related to life and death.
“It’s okay, I know this is a routine procedure.”
I knew that in my head — but my hand paused for just a moment. I had once signed similar paperwork when a family member went in for surgery, and that same quiet feeling of tension rose up inside me.
He weighs just about 2 kilograms. Such a small, small creature. It wasn’t quite worry — more like a heartfelt wish: “Please come home safe.”
Picking Him Up in the Evening
I dropped him off in the morning, and by the evening the clinic called to let me know the surgery was complete. When I arrived to pick him up, the anesthesia had already worn off, and Nyan was sitting quietly in his carrier.
The vet explained the aftercare: Since dissolvable sutures are now commonly used, no follow-up visit for stitch removal was needed. A little licking of the wound was perfectly fine, and no Elizabethan collar was required. We were told a return visit would only be necessary if there were clear signs of a problem, such as persistent licking that caused bleeding.
Back Home — and the Next Day
Once we got home, Nyan was more relaxed than I expected. He settled into his favorite spot, ate his food, and seemed at ease. Seeing that, I finally felt a wave of relief wash over me.
By the next day, he was almost completely back to his usual self. The Nyan who sometimes tears around the house had returned.
About the Cost
I’ll record the costs here for reference. I had been told beforehand to expect somewhere between ¥30,000 and ¥55,000, and the actual breakdown was:
Item
Amount
Subtotal
¥30,160
Consumption tax
¥3,016
Total
¥33,176
This includes 4 doses of antibiotics; the surgery itself was ¥30,000. The neutering surgery was entirely out-of-pocket (not covered by pet insurance). Credit card payment was accepted.
Closing Thoughts
Looking back, the whole experience went by surprisingly quickly. But I think I’ll always remember that moment when I paused over the admission form.
To anyone whose cat is about to go through surgery — it’s going to be okay. And Nyan — you did so well. 🐱
