Neutering & Spaying

Prevent Unwanted Breeding and Future Health Risks

At Japan Animal Hospital, we offer spaying and neutering services for dogs and cats. Neutering procedures involve removing the testicles in male dogs (cats) and removing the ovaries, or both ovaries and uterus, in female dogs (cats).

The purpose of neutering and spaying is not only to prevent unwanted breeding but also to reduce stress caused by hormonal cycles during “coming into heat”, which can cause stress, anxiety, or behavioral changes. It also helps prevent various diseases that commonly affect pets as they age.

Neutering and Spaying require anesthesia, but at our hospital, we follow strict and comprehensive safety protocols to minimize risks and ensure a secure procedure for your pet.

Purpose of Neutering/Spaying

Prevent Unwanted Breeding

Reducing Stress During Estrus

For female dogs and cats, hormonal imbalances during Estrus cycles often lead to stress and health issues. Additionally, male dogs and cats may become more aggressive due to stress. These factors place a significant burden on pets; however, by performing neutering and spaying procedures, we can help alleviate this stress and reduce the physical strain on them.

Preventing Future illnesses

With neutering, it is possible to prevent conditions such as perianal gland tumors and prostate enlargement. For spaying, the procedure helps prevent diseases that commonly develop in older pets, such as mammary tumors and pyometra (uterine infection).

Diseases that can be prevented by spaying or neutering

Diseases That Can Be Prevented by Neutering

Perianal Adenoma

This is a tumor that mainly occurs around the anus, and if the tumor ruptures, it will become infected, causing pus and bleeding that will not stop. In some cases, the tumor may put pressure on the anus, causing bowel movements to become difficult.

Enlarged Prostate

If your dog’s prostate becomes enlarged, it will put pressure on the rectum and colon, causing difficulty in defecation and chronic diarrhea.

Testicular Tumor

In cases of malignant testicular tumors, there is a risk that the cancer will spread to the lymph nodes or liver, which can be life-threatening. Even if benign, these tumors may cause hormonal imbalances, leading to symptoms such as hair loss, anemia, and dermatitis.

Perineal Hernia

A perineal hernia occurs when there is a weakening or traumatic tear in the muscles of the area, resulting in the bladder, intestines, or fat pushing through the muscle to an abnormal position just under the skin that leading to symptoms such as difficulty urinating.

Diseases That Can Be Prevented by Spaying

Mammary Tumors

Compared to humans, dogs and cats have a higher chance of developing mammary tumors, and they progress quickly and can cause death within a few months of onset, so caution is required.
Mammary tumors are thought to be induced by hormones, so it is important to have your pet spayed or neutered to prevent them.

Pyometra

Pyometra is a disease that often occurs in older female dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. It causes pus to accumulate in the uterus, and if it goes unnoticed, it can be life-threatening. It often occurs 1-2 months after the end of estrus, and symptoms include: abdominal swelling, pus coming out of the genitals, lethargy, loss of appetite, increased water intake, and increased amount and frequency of urination.

Flow of Neutering & Spaying Surgery

Consultation & Pre-examination.

Before Surgery

To prevent the risk of aspiration during anesthesia, please ensure your pet fasts from 9:00 p.m. the night before the surgery.

Neutering & Spaying

Please come to our hospital in the morning, and after a pre-operative examination, we will perform the Neutering/Spaying surgery.

After Surgery

For castration surgery, you will pick up your pet in the evening on the same day, but for spaying surgery, we will keep your pet for the day and return it the next day.