BajaNomad

Taking a dog to Baja via air

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 11:13 AM

This question may have been asked before, but I didn't find it after doing a quick search. My wife and I just returned from a week-long trip to Todos Santos - without our dog. He did just fine with a dog sitter, but there's a part of us that would like to be able to bring him along. Is it legal to fly a dog to Mexico? Is it logistically feasible to do so, or is it not worth the hassle for just a week?

Wally - 7-14-2013 at 12:15 PM

Lots of people bring their dogs down. Some paperwork is required which someone else might be able to give specifics on. The larger issue is that if the pet doesn't qualify to fly in-cabin then they won't fly the animal if either the departure or arrival points are forecasted to be warmer than 85 degrees the day of travel.

RnR - 7-14-2013 at 12:33 PM

We have several friends that fly their dogs into Cabo all the time.

Mexico basically has two requirements that are actually checked at the arrival airport:

1. Current health certificate.

2. Rabies certificate valid within the last year. Mexico only honors a one year certificate, not three years as is common in the US.

(No checks at the land ports of entry even though the same requirements are in effect)

You'll have more trouble with the airlines accepting your dog than with Mexican customs. Alaska Airlines seems to be the most accommodating carrier.

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 12:58 PM

We flew United most recently, and they seem to be reasonably accommodating - although I don't know about the connecting flights from Houston to Mexico.

greta-inbaja - 7-14-2013 at 01:08 PM

We fly our german shepherd down with us 2x/yr on Alaska Airlines. They have us check our bags and leave the kennel there early, then we walk the dog around a and do a late boarding 30 minutes prior to take-off. This is what the tell us to do and it has worked out great. After the dog has boarded they bring us a tag to let us know she is on the plane. She has not seemed traumatized when we get her at the end of the flight. We fly in april-may and oct-nov. We always get a direct flight. Two flights ago, the plane had issues so the flight was cancelled, we could not go on planes they rerouted people on due to the small size, NO kennels. SO.... we put our dog in a kennel in san jose del cabo and alaska paid to put us up in a nice hotel. (nicer then we ever stay in). SO far so good, She has flown probably 8 times, goes again this october. You need a health certificate within 10 days and rabie shot, within 1 yr. The parasite check stated on the website has never been questioned with us. We do not medicate her. This has been the story on both ends of the flight.
Hope this helps

karenintx - 7-14-2013 at 01:14 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
We flew United most recently, and they seem to be reasonably accommodating - although I don't know about the connecting flights from Houston to Mexico.


United only allows in-cabin dog/cat when flying into SJD...no cargo/in the belly anytime of the year. That is what I was told two years ago when I was bringing our 12 year old cat to SJD/CSL.

She met the under the seat requirements...thank goodness.

Good Luck

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 01:15 PM

It would be nice if we could get a direct flight, but that's just not possible from Boston. We'll do some more digging, but in a worse case scenario, we continue to board Tito with a sitter until we're able to spend more than a week at a time there.

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 01:23 PM

@karenintx - thanks for the insight into United. Our dog weighs 37 pounds and isn't likely to fit under the seat in front of us, nor would he want to - being part cattle dog. I'll need to look into some of the other airlines that fly between Boston and Cabo, as well as looking at Alaska Airlines flying routes.

Leo - 7-14-2013 at 03:28 PM

we fly our 52 pound dog in once or twice a year. You need na good secure- airline approved cage. The health cerificate should be cuurent within 5 days of flying (creative paperwork when it comes to dates) and rabies proof. Then comes the transportation from Cabo. You have your own there or someone picking you up. OK, otherwise expensive with their taxies.
BTW, noticed your interest in buying property down the line in or around TS. We are looking for a buyer down the line for our place in TS. maybe we should talk.

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 03:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
we fly our 52 pound dog in once or twice a year. You need na good secure- airline approved cage. The health cerificate should be cuurent within 5 days of flying (creative paperwork when it comes to dates) and rabies proof. Then comes the transportation from Cabo. You have your own there or someone picking you up. OK, otherwise expensive with their taxies.


Since we've only been going for a week at a time thus far, we've been renting a car in Cabo and driving up to Todos Santos. We have two solid crates, but would need to do our homework regarding approvals and such.
Quote:
Originally posted by Leo
BTW, noticed your interest in buying property down the line in or around TS. We are looking for a buyer down the line for our place in TS. maybe we should talk.


Sure thing. Shoot me a direct message.

pauldavidmena - 7-14-2013 at 06:10 PM

Just did some checking regarding Alaska Air. The good news is that there are flights between Boston and Cabo. The bad news is that there's an overnight stay in LAX (in which case it's American Airlines from Boston), San Diego or Seattle in all cases.

RnR - 7-14-2013 at 08:32 PM

I used to fly frequently with a 90 lb dog. Usually had to make connecting flights. My preference on connecting flights was to schedule them at two to three hours between flights. That's enough time to retrieve the dog from baggage, take him for a walk, and then re-check him for the second flight. The airlines never had a problem with this as it relieves them of the responsibility of caring for the dog. It also assures that he makes the transfer!

Marla Daily - 7-15-2013 at 06:41 AM

A BIG HEAD'S UP:

1. The peninsula is thick with canine heartworm, carried by mosquitoes. If you are going to bring your dog to the peninsula, be sure it is on Heartguard prior to coming.

2. The peninsula is crawling with the deer tick, Ixodes, which carries Ehrlichia. Ehrlichia is the #1 silent killer of street dogs. Even tick/flea preventatives do not stop a tick from biting before dropping off your dog. The virus is transmitted by the bite. Be aware of symptoms: loss of appetite and increasing lethargy until death occurs. Doxycycline treatment for 30 days is the cure.

Knowledge is essential if you are going to travel with your pets.

pauldavidmena - 7-15-2013 at 10:21 AM

@Marla Daily - thank you for the reply. Given the potential dangers, it makes me wonder if it's worth it to bring our dog with us until we're able to spend substantially more time in Baja.

Wally - 7-15-2013 at 01:21 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Marla Daily
A BIG HEAD'S UP:

1. The peninsula is thick with canine heartworm, carried by mosquitoes. If you are going to bring your dog to the peninsula, be sure it is on Heartguard prior to coming.

2. The peninsula is crawling with the deer tick, Ixodes, which carries Ehrlichia. Ehrlichia is the #1 silent killer of street dogs. Even tick/flea preventatives do not stop a tick from biting before dropping off your dog. The virus is transmitted by the bite. Be aware of symptoms: loss of appetite and increasing lethargy until death occurs. Doxycycline treatment for 30 days is the cure.

Knowledge is essential if you are going to travel with your pets.


I wouldn't want to discount this because I guess some may have had issues.

But, in the 10 years we've lived here with dogs we have not experienced any of this. Most of our friends are dog people, multiple dog-people types and none of them have had these issues.

Marla Daily - 7-15-2013 at 07:43 PM

Have you had your dogs SNAP-tested? The SNAP test, made by IDEXX, isn't too common in Baja. It is a simple kit that tests a drop of your dog's blood. Heartworm and Ehrlichia are two of the 4 tests in the SNAP-test-kit. It is well worth having your dogs tested. It is the ONLY way to know heartworn isn't present. If the dog is negative for heartworm, Heartguard needs to be given monthly. If it tests positive, the multi-treatment cure of Immiticide (Ivermectin) is very expensive. Excessive panting and general lack of comfort are the first signs of heartworm. By the time symptoms are present, the case is advanced and heart muscle damage has occurred.

We have worked with street dogs for more than a decade and are VERY familiar with both heartworm and Ehrlichia. We built a free spay/neuter clinic in Loreto called Animalandia; we assist in placing homeless Mexican dogs around the United States. We have five dogs, four of which are former Baja street dogs, and we are well-experienced with these issues.

Jack Swords - 7-16-2013 at 05:50 AM

Beware of using Ivermectin on Australian Shepherds, Shelties, Border Collies, and Old English Sheepdogs. You can Google the consequences.

bledito - 7-16-2013 at 07:41 AM

my max is 106 # hates the heat and water. i do'nt think he'd like baja. Besides i would n't want him crated four 4 hours.

DianaT - 7-16-2013 at 07:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pauldavidmena
@Marla Daily - thank you for the reply. Given the potential dangers, it makes me wonder if it's worth it to bring our dog with us until we're able to spend substantially more time in Baja.


The precautions Marla Daily suggests are very good and will protect your dog in other areas where you might travel in the US where these diseases are a problem.

We had no problem with our dogs in Baja, but we kept them well protected with all shots, fleas and tick protection and heartworm meds up to date. Also, be sure the parvo shots are up to date as it is also a big problem and very contagious.

Now, your dog will love Baja and it is great to have your fur baby along. I hope it works for you.

pauldavidmena - 7-16-2013 at 08:04 AM

Our dog is part Australian Cattle Dog, part American Eskimo Dog. He loves running off-leash and playing with other dogs, but is otherwise an indoors dog. He's up-to-date on all of his shots and takes both FrontLine (flea and tick preventative) and Interceptor (heartworm preventative).

Sean&Kelly - 7-20-2013 at 09:12 AM

Maybe you have already flown with your dog and know this but many dogs do not do well flying since it can be a traumatic experience. My dog would never be able to fly. We took him on the ferry from La Paz to the mainland and he was just a wreck being left alone in a crate on the ship. Then again, my dog is party scaredy-cat. ;D

pauldavidmena - 7-20-2013 at 09:19 AM

We've never flown with our dog, nor traveled on a ferry with him. The longest car ride he's ever been on was the day we picked him up 10 months ago. That was 8 hours long; he hasn't gone more than 15-20 minutes since.

WendyEllen - 4-19-2014 at 12:43 PM

Does anyone know a vet in La Paz that can give a dog the SNAP-test?