HCR
Junior Nomad
Posts: 47
Registered: 3-23-2008
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Taking dog to Mexico and returning to U.S.
Anyone have the latest on required papers both ways?
Are Mex. border officials requiring papers?
I've searched on the site but am having trouble, plus I know how out-of-date information can be and so quickly.
Ah, the good old days when any absence of papers coud easily be solved with paper of the greenback variety.
Thanks in advance
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
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Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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You have to have a current shot record, primarily rabies, and a health certificate. You probably won't be asked for these things but, they might.
If you don't have them, you may be executed on the spot for being a terrorist so, it pays to be ready for all eventualities.
Just don't give these a-holes an opportunity to ruin your day. Be ready for what they may ask for. I've been asked more than once and I was ready
because I'm not a terrorist.
God Bless America and Yankee Doodle.
arf arf arf arf arf.
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mulegejim
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Posts: 470
Registered: 9-4-2006
Location: San Clemente, CA/Mulege, BCS
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We have taken our dog both ways several times with no problems - never even been asked about her. We do, however, always have all current vet papers
just in case.
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Phil C
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Registered: 3-27-2004
Location: N. San Diego County/ Loreto Centro/Lopez Mateos
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Get the papers, carry them with you, no one will ever ask for them.... but you'll feel better and your dog will be happier! I know!
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BajaGeoff
Super Nomad
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Location: San Diego and Campo Lopez
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Mood: Heading To Baja!!!
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Y'all are spot on....
I always bring the docs when we bring the dogs down....never been asked for them...but always better to have more documentation than not enough!
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Marla Daily
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Location: Loreto, BCS
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Flying or Driving with Dogs—A Difference
If you are driving down and back with doggies, chances are you will never be asked for any papers. BUT—have proof of rabies and shots that are current
IN CASE you are the exception to the rule.
Flying is a whole different nut. An International health certificate signed within 5 days of entry must accompany each dog along with proof of current
rabies/shots. These are ALWAYS checked at airports coming in to BCS. They are also checked reentering US at LAX. Vets charge from $50 to $100 for each
certificate. I have read that some BCS airports are requiring "parasite-free" (no worms) paperwork as well, although we have never had this
experience. Alaska Airlines REQUIRES advance reservations for dog crates in baggage, as they limit the number of crates they take per flight. $100 per
dog each way. No "short-faced" dogs are allowed to fly in hot summer months as they have a tendency to breathing issues.
BE SURE YOU RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF EHRLICHIOSIS—the number one killer of dogs in BCS. Easily curable with antibiotics. The disease is transmitted by
the nymph stage ("guinas") of Xiodes, the deer tick, this disease is fatal if not treated. Loss of appetite and lethargy set in with a vengeance. BE
SURE YOUR DOGS HAVE FRONTLINE PLUS AT ALL TIMES>
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monoloco
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Location: Pescadero BCS
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Several people have told me that you are required to have a certificate of an ANNUAL rabies vaccination and a certificate that the animal is free of
parasites. I guess they must be worried that lombrices will be introduced into Mexico. I'm wondering if next we will have to have a certificate that
the dog is free of mange, we wouldn't want that here.
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dtbushpilot
Ultra Nomad
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Location: Buena Vista BCS
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This is what I think I know:
The new requirements for MEXICO are: Rabies vaccination good for 1 year, US only requires 3 years. MX now requires a certification of the pet being
free of internal and external parasites to be granted entry into MX. This can be obtained from your US vet before crossing the border. You also need a
current (10 days I think) health certificate from your US vet to enter MX.
For crossing back to the US: You need a current health certificate from a MX vet (again, within 10 days of crossing) which will include current rabies
vac etc. The US recognizes the 3 year rabies vac but MX doesn't....just to make it simpler I guess. The US doesn't require the parasite documentation.
That said, here is my experience:
We travel with 2 cats and a dog. We have only driven into MX, usually crossing at Tecate but sometimes at TJ. We have always had current vac. records
for all animals and current health certificates when crossing both ways. The MX vet won't issue a health certification unless the rabies shots are
less than 1 year old but the US doesn't require it. You have to go with the flow. Health certs and shots are much cheaper in MX so we have been
getting our pet vaccinations in MX for the past 2 years.
We have never been asked for anything for the pets in Mx. when driving across. Flying into Cabo is another story and I wouldn't try it unless I had
all the required documents.
Driving back across to the US we were pulled into secondary once (because we were in the camper) and they did ask for papers for the dog, we had them.
no problem.
Again, this is my opinion and not to be taken as a recommendation:
When I heard that MX was requiring external and internal parasite documentation I contacted my vet. They said to bring in a stool sample from each cat
and the dog for examination, then, bring them in for the external exam and they could do the usual exam for the health certificate at that time...at
additional cost of course. Total cost: approximately $150 per animal....no, really.....
I said ENOUGH! I'm tired of jumping through hoops that nobody gives a s#*t about. I brought the last health certificates that I had along with
immunization records for the animals and headed South. I was directed to secondary in Tecate and they looked in the vehicles, pet the dog and sent us
on our way without comment on the dog or cats. When we go back to the states in February I plan to get current health certificates from our MX vet (no
parasite cert required to go to the US) at $30 per animal and that's it.
I was told by our MX vet that MX requires a 1 year vaccination, even though its the same vaccination that the US recognizes for 3 years is because
there is much more incidents of rabies in MX than the US and the effectiveness of the vaccine wears off in time. My US vet backed this up when I asked
him about it so I don't have an issue with having my pets vaccinated for rabies more often, plus its about 1/3 the cost to have it done in MX.
This is my story, if you fly into Cabo I would suggest that you get all the required tests and documentation. If driving across, I roll the
dice.....dt
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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DianaT
Select Nomad
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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dt---I would think you could just hide that dog of yours in your wife's purse and just claim the cats. 
In the not required department,
Marla Daily mentioned the all important Frontline---very important.
We also think heartworm preventative is very important.
And, I assume your dog is not a puppy? I would not take a puppy to Baja until he/she had ALL the puppy shots. Parvo is a real problem in many
areas.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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All of this health documentation is nothing but harassment. If Mexico is honestly concerned with the health of domestic animals, they should take
their efforts to their own streets. The pathetic lives of street dogs is completely ignored.
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Dave
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Doggie Depository
I have a uncooperative neighbor with an obnoxious dog. If I could be sure customs would snag him I'd take him with me on my next trip north. 
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HCR
Junior Nomad
Posts: 47
Registered: 3-23-2008
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Thanks to all for your responses.
Two folks mentioned Frontline, which I have used for the past 6 years.
A week ago my U.S. vet told me he was discontinuing its use because two dogs under this care came down with heartworms. I trust this guy as he is one
of the few I've come acoss NOT driven by making $.
Instead of Frontline, he is returning to prescribing a tablet for heart worms and a topical for fleas/ticks.
Frontline always worked great for my Brittany re fleas, but seemed to have no effect of ticks.
Use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.
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Don Alley
Super Nomad
Posts: 1997
Registered: 12-4-2003
Location: Loreto
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| Quote: | Originally posted by HCR
Frontline always worked great for my Brittany re fleas, but seemed to have no effect of ticks. |
We use Advantix for ticks.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by HCR
Frontline always worked great for my Brittany re fleas, but seemed to have no effect of ticks. |
You're right. The squeezy applicator doesn't do well against ticks. Frontline also makes a spray which works against ticks. I tried to buy it at
Petco in Chula Vista but, they had never heard of it.
Go to PetMeds online. They have it.
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bajabass
Super Nomad
Posts: 2016
Registered: 10-4-2006
Location: La Paz,BCS
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Mood: Want to fish!!!
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I have taken my 8mo old collie, Winston, down a dozen times in 4 months.So far I have been checked once, by a short masculine female CBP agent, with a
bad attitude, for his papers. Every other time, they scratch him behind the ears, or pet him. I have all current shot records in my truck always. We
are using Comfortis for fleas, and Interceptor for heart, hook, round, and whipworms. I check him carefully for ticks every time we get back, and have
found 3, but he was hanging out with a couple low-life Ensenada dogs on 2 different weekends that we found the ticks. WE always drive, so I have not
gotten the health cert. Hope they never ask. I drive from O.C. to La Mision almost every week. That could get real expensive!!
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