BajaNomad - Asked about Dogs at Border FIRST TIME Going South

Asked about Dogs at Border FIRST TIME Going South

DianaT - 10-1-2010 at 12:47 PM

For twenty years we have traveled with dogs in and out of Baja and the Mainland, and until the other day, the only time we had been questioned about our dogs was when we entered the Mainland from Guatemala.

But that changed a couple of days ago! Going south, we cross in the morning at San Ysidro/Tijuana. Since we have a pick-up truck, any more we are always directed to secondary even with the green light. Never a problem--quick questions, quick peek in the back and we are off.

However, there appear to be a number of new young lady officers and for the first time, one asked us about certificates for our dogs. We don't have them.

We showed her the tag on their collars and she was OK this time, but told us to be sure and have the health certificates next time. We questioned the length of time the health certificates are good for as we are back and forth all the time. From what we understood, she said just the rabies certificate would probably work.

We don't carry the rabies certificates because while they receive a shot that is good for three years, we have the shots administered by our vet in Imperial Valley, and that county will only issue certificates for one year----there is no way we want our dogs receiving a rabies shot every year.

We have our plans as to what we will do and have ready for them if asked again. But just thought I would mention it as this is a real first for us in over 20 years!

And from other postings, it appears that it is beginning to happen to more people--

Diana

[Edited on 10-1-2010 by DianaT]

Mexicorn - 10-1-2010 at 12:55 PM

This has also has happened to me.

I always keep a copy of shot records in my vehicle.

DianaT - 10-1-2010 at 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mexicorn
This has also has happened to me.

I always keep a copy of shot records in my vehicle.

We will also be sure to carry the records---ones that show the rabies good for three years, not one. :yes:

Well ....u sold me

mcfez - 10-1-2010 at 01:03 PM

I just hate paperwork....but will now go get all the docs hearing what u just went thru with the new personnel.

Cant the one year certificates be "made over" to show 3?

Mexicorn - 10-1-2010 at 01:03 PM

Agreed three years I wouldnt want to put a dog or cat through that yearly.

Marinero - 10-1-2010 at 01:16 PM

I have heard, but don't know for a fact, that they use a lesser strength shot in Baja, hence the annual treatment. Anyone know for a fact?

DENNIS - 10-1-2010 at 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marinero
I have heard, but don't know for a fact, that they use a lesser strength shot in Baja, hence the annual treatment. Anyone know for a fact?

Must be true. My dog gets shots every year. The vet is good so I doubt he's giving her too much.
I thought I recalled a regulation from the US side that said they had to be yearly.

bajabass - 10-1-2010 at 01:34 PM

I have been sent back twice in the last month. :fire:

Once for my DVD collection, no more than 10 allowed, and last weekend because of my wife's shoes and clothes. :?:

She is in La Paz, and I'm hauling them down. The girl said no wife, no womens shoes or clothes. Each time the girl and the Marine were petting my collie, and never asked for his papers.I keep them in the truck at all times, and his rabies cert is for 3 years. I have noticed they are cracking down on everything. Bad timing, as I am trying to move everything I own to Baja.

DENNIS - 10-1-2010 at 01:43 PM

Why didn't you tell them all the clothes were yours? Is there any law against being weird?

mcfez - 10-1-2010 at 01:52 PM

Bet them cd's were the Village People collection....

DENNIS - 10-1-2010 at 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
Bet them cd's were the Village People collection....

With a couple of Barry Manilows mixed in. :lol:

bajabass - 10-1-2010 at 02:09 PM

:spingrin:

Hey, I look cute in tight jeans and pumps!! :spingrin:

No, no Barry in my cd collection, but this was over 100 DVD's. I hid them all over the truck and hit Otay both times, no problem. OK you jokers, now back on topic! :rolleyes:

mcfez - 10-1-2010 at 02:24 PM

You think this is all because of the recent elections?

I noted last time going thru Mexicali that red light was turning on a bit more that usual.

Love ya.

bajabass - 10-1-2010 at 02:44 PM

That, or the whole Arizona thing.

DianaT - 10-1-2010 at 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mcfez
I just hate paperwork....but will now go get all the docs hearing what u just went thru with the new personnel.

Cant the one year certificates be "made over" to show 3?

One must be VERY quiet about any such outrageous ideas. Last time I suggested it around here, very quickly many responses pretty much assured me I was headed for Federal Prison.

I immediately destroyed my scanner so I would never be tempted to do such a thing. :lol:

The rabies shot the dogs receive in El Centro, in Imperial County are the exact shots that are given in San Diego---but the county of San Diego will issue the official certificate for the three years, and Imperial County will not do so ----but everything is A LOT cheaper at the vet in El Centro than in San Diego.

Wonder if that scanner can be fixed............

NO,NO

Yearly Shot "Records" ? NO Problema !

MrBillM - 10-1-2010 at 07:20 PM

With a PC and Practice.

I once brought back a Dog from Mexico (an adopted stray) and, after very little time and effort, produced an appropriate facsimile of a Vet Rabies certificate that was indistinguishable from the original I used for a template.

SO, you could have any date you wanted to at any time. Get your 3-year shots, but "update" your certificate yearly.

oladulce - 10-2-2010 at 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Marinero
I have heard, but don't know for a fact, that they use a lesser strength shot in Baja, hence the annual treatment. Anyone know for a fact?

In CA, our cats went to a feline veterinarian who offered only the ONE-year Rabies vaccine called Purevax because of potential injection-site cancers caused by 3 -yr Rabies vaccines.

There is some thought that the "adjuvant" (added to vaccines to stimulate immune system response) is responsible for causing sarcomas at the site of vaccine injections. The "Purevax" Rabies vaccine is the only one that does not contain an adjuvant. Unfortunately, it has to be given annually which is kind of a pain to keep track of because their other vaccine is a 3 yr.

I don't know anything about dog vaccines, but I don't think they would offer a weaker vaccine here in Mexico and give it more often. To be effective the vaccine would have to be strong enough to reach a threshold which would stimulate the body to produce antibodies against the virus or it wouldn't offer protection against the virus. Not something they could just dilute down and give more often, nor could they give a whopping dose of the drug and call it a "3-year" . I would guess that the 3-year vaccine formulas contain some sort of sustained-release ability that keep the antibody level up for a longer period of time.

The gatos will be making their first vaccination visit to the Mexican vet soon and I'll try and find out more.

oladulce - 10-2-2010 at 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

We don't carry the rabies certificates because while they receive a shot that is good for three years, we have the shots administered by our vet in Imperial Valley, and that county will only issue certificates for one year----there is no way we want our dogs receiving a rabies shot every year.

Diana

Do the Rabies certificates have to come from the county to be valid? I get certificates from the vet who gave the vaccine. When the cats used to get 3-yr Rabies vaccines, the certificate clearly stated the vaccine was valid until a certain date. These "certificates" don't have fancy stamps and county seals and although we've always carried them, we've never been asked for them at the border so I don't know if they would be acceptable.

dtbushpilot - 10-2-2010 at 11:16 AM

I questioned the vet in Los Barriles about this a while back and this is what he told me: "The 3 year shot in the US and the shot given in MX is the same shot, same dosage etc. The effectiveness of it or any other vaccine diminishes over time thus your pet would be more susceptible to catching rabies in the 3rd year than the first if it were exposed. Mexico has a higher incidence of rabies than the US so they require more frequent vaccination. It doesn't matter what your immunization record says, it is only good for 1 year from the date of immunization". This is what he told me and he is a highly regarded vet in these parts.

I also asked him about the amount of vaccine administered as I was holding my 4lb dog watching him prepare the same dosage that he just gave a Labrador and he said it was the same amount for all dogs. I hated to see Cacahuate getting such a big shot but she didn't even flinch......dt

Perhaps Dr. Tom will weigh in....

[Edited on 10-2-2010 by dtbushpilot]

DianaT - 10-2-2010 at 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oladulce

Quote:

The Certificate comes from the Vet as he is authorized by the county to issue them, but by law, he has to say the 3 year vaccine is only good for 1 year----he does not like it, but has no choice.

Years and years ago, we had an International Health Certificate for our other dog, RIP and we used the 72 hour certificate for about 5 years. :lol:

To leave Honduras, we had to get an official exit permit for our dog---that was crazy as it even had to be stamped by the American Embassy. But they asked for it as we drove out of the country.

The Guatemala who does not trust Honduras, wanted a certificate from the US---bingo they accepted the US Issued International Health Certificate that some how had been created less than 72 hours before and we had been in Honduras for a year.

Same thing when we left Guatemala several months later---Mexico did not want papers from Honduras or Guatemala, but only the US certificate----again, it was less than 72 hours old.

It was truly the magical Health Certificate and I think we need some Magical Health Certificates for these two dogs. :yes:

dtbushpilot? same dose for a tiny 4lb dog? Yikes!

CaboMagic - 10-3-2010 at 08:07 AM

From the FWIW category .. Kinda funny how things change yet everything stays the same ...

When we were doing "the drive" to/from 5-6 times per year with our 2 dogs and 2 cats .. <all now in heaven> as well as numerous flights ... we were occassionally asked about health certs/rabies certs which had to be issued within 48 hrs of travel ..

But first 2 comments - (1) our pets health was never compromised - we made sure all vaccinations were current. (2) We are not suggestting someone do something ummmm...... welll .... wrong or against the law ...

I seem to recall there were templates available online .. nuf said ...

As always do hope this is helpful. We really miss our furbabies ...

bufeo - 10-3-2010 at 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CaboMagic...But first 2 comments - (1) our pets health was never compromised - we made sure all vaccinations were current. (2) We are not suggestting someone do something ummmm...... welll .... wrong or against the law ...

I seem to recall there were templates available online .. nuf said ...

Exactly the 'procedure' we followed for the past 30 years of travel to Baja. Our 'veterinarian' is especially accommodating, sometimes coming over and signing the forms in the wee hours of the morning.

We never compromised the health of our pets, nor the folks and animals that came in contact with them in Baja.

Allen R

Bajafun777 - 10-4-2010 at 11:12 AM

Diana T, I had always used Vets in the U.S.A. but when our boxer got ran over when she ran off during pre-fourth of July fireworks set off by some neighbors her leg got broken. The Vet in Brawley took X-rays and then wanted me to take the dog all the way to San Diego to another Vet that was going to cost me $5,000 to fix the leg. My friend at work had already called me about a great Vet in Mexicali that could fix the leg, so I asked for the X-rays that I just paid $100 dollars for but was told I could not have them. I was told I had to tell them what Vet I was going to and they would give the X-ray information over the phone to the other Vet. I told them B.S., as I paid for the X-rays, so please give them to me and I was going to a Vet in Mexicali. They said they could not release X-rays that way and not to take dog to Mexicali, so I will never use them again what a rip-off.
Now, the good part to the story is that the Vet in Mexicali had to put in a pin to hold the leg together, kept our boxer for 3 days, gave us medicine to give her when we brought her back across the border and total cost was $450 including new X-rays along with new rabies shot also. Vet was very much into keeping our dog alive and keeping her out of as much pain as he could. That was 9 years ago and she had puppies the next year and all good with her. She died this past month of old age as she was 14 years old human years. We even took the puppies down to him to have their tails docked and ears fixed, which came to less than $20 dollars a puppy so 5 cost me $100 a great deal and great service. Vet in Mexicali has a real heart for animals and he called us several times after he had operated on our dog when she broke her leg and any future dogs will always go down to him. Do not have his card on me but if anyone needs this Vet I will get it when I return to Brawley from my stay here in Mexico next week. Just U2U me for Vet name and address. Take Care and Travel Safe---------------'No Hurry, No Worry, Just FUN" bajafun777

Lee - 10-4-2010 at 11:38 AM

It's easy to stay current on this stuff.

International Certificate of Health for Small Animals
http://tiny.cc/oib8w

Certificate of Vet Inspection
http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/inspection_certificates.pd...

DianaT - 10-4-2010 at 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee
It's easy to stay current on this stuff.

International Certificate of Health for Small Animals
http://tiny.cc/oib8w

Certificate of Vet Inspection
http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/inspection_certificates.pd...

Second link works well, but the first one does not work for me???

Thanks Lee

bajacondo - 10-5-2010 at 10:56 AM

Immigration at the airport in San Jose del Cabodemands a 1 year vaccination certificate. In Canada, they only give 3 year vacs so I have been hassled the last few times I brought La Chica into Mexico especially by the women officers. She will be due again in the Spring and I will have her vaccinated in Mexico rather than risk being denied entry. Immigration also has the option to call in a Mexican vet and have the dog vaccinated on your dime.

DENNIS - 10-5-2010 at 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajacondo
Immigration at the airport in San Jose del Cabodemands a 1 year vaccination certificate. In Canada, they only give 3 year vacs so I have been hassled the last few times I brought La Chica into Mexico especially by the women officers. She will be due again in the Spring and I will have her vaccinated in Mexico rather than risk being denied entry. Immigration also has the option to call in a Mexican vet and have the dog vaccinated on your dime.

Welcome to BajaNomad, BC, and thanks for the info.
All of their inflexibility only justifies making your own certs. I mean, it's not like you don't want to immunize your pet. Do what you have to do.

One has to ask...

Dave - 10-5-2010 at 12:20 PM

Are there laws requiring Mexicans to inoculate their pets?

Are they enforced?

durrelllrobert - 10-6-2010 at 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
For twenty years we have traveled with dogs in and out of Baja and the Mainland, and until the other day, the only time we had been questioned about our dogs was when we entered the Mainland from Guatemala.

I have brought many "dogs" , some worse looking then others, in from US without incident . Don't understand why the Guatemala girls should be profiled. :lol:

Profing Guatemala Gals ?

MrBillM - 10-6-2010 at 12:03 PM

Because they have Nice Profiles ?

DianaT - 10-6-2010 at 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by durrelllrobert

Quote:

I have brought many "dogs" , some worse looking then others, in from US without incident . Don't understand why the Guatemala girls should be profiled. :lol:

Yes, even those "dogs" would have trouble. Mexico and Guatemala do not get along very well.

Bajafun, thanks and we will contact you if we need the service-we have heard there are some very good vets in Mexicali.