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RufusTheDoofus
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Posts: 20
Registered: 11-16-2010
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Maine Dogs in Baja
My wife and I are planning to drive from northern Maine to Agua Verde (possibly Cabo Pulmo) this winter. We plan to head out just before Christmas
and will be bringing our two dogs with us. We're traveling in a 1980 Toyota HJ45 Landcruiser Troop Carrier.
We plan to primarily stick to beach camping or places along the water on both coasts of Baja. We'll hopefully spend 6 - 8 weeks in Mexico before
heading home.
I'm concerned about the dogs. I understand there are different vaccinations required for the southwest and Mexico that they don't get up here. Are
there any helpful web sites that will give me the info I need to pass on to my vet?
How about rattlesnakes? Are rattlers prevalent in coastal areas? I think we'll do the avoidance training in San Diego. I'm considering the vaccine
for one of the dogs since he's a German Shorthaired Pointer/pit bull mix. He follows his nose into trouble all the time.
Any words of wisdom for a northeastern dog owner?
I haven't been to Baja in 15 years. Last trip was to the hot springs at Guadalupe Canyon. I think we're skipping that area this trip.
[Edited on 11-17-2010 by RufusTheDoofus]
[Edited on 11-17-2010 by RufusTheDoofus]
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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Snakes
We have 2 Yellow Labs. Put the young one through Rattlesnake avoidance training. She was a quick learner, then a year later, did a repeat. She would
not go anywhere near the snakes. We also get the "pre-bite" vaccinations.....does not make them immune, but delays the reaction....still have to get
them to a Vet, ASAP.
I'm sold on the avoidance training and the "vaccinations"......
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mcfez
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Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Take clear pictures of each dog....in case they run off and get lost.
Keep em on a leash.....for their sake..keeps them from getting lost.
Read this. One of many lost dog nightmares
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=48173#pid5539...
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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bajaguy
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9247
Registered: 9-16-2003
Location: Carson City, NV/Ensenada - Baja Country Club
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Mood: must be 5 O'clock somewhere in Baja
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And don't forget collars with ID Tags and a contact number for you!!!!!.....would also be a good idea to get ID tags in Spanish also
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woody with a view
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Posts: 15940
Registered: 11-8-2004
Location: Looking at the Coronado Islands
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Mood: Everchangin'
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define coastal. in oct we saw a snake 75 feet from the pacific in the central region. 1st time for us, but it happens.
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RufusTheDoofus
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Coastal: camping sites as close to the high-tide line as reasonably possible.
We do plan to keep the dogs on leashes most of the time. When not on a tethered leash they are on Dogtra field training collars. They are good for
up to 1 mile line of site or a half mile in the woods.
Thanks for the suggestion on photos. The pointer mix is brindle and looks a lot like many Mexican dogs I've seen over the years.
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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Where we are, our dogs run free on the beach, but it is a limited area and they do not run off. Watching them run free in the surf is one of our
favorite reasons for being where we are. From the time we hit Bahia Asuncion until we leave, our dogs don't see a leash.
We would not take them to Baja without.
1. Heartworm protection---
2. Flea and tick control----some don't like it, but we use frontline
3. All shots up to date. Parvo is epidemic in some areas.
4. Our dogs had the first series of rattlesnake vacines and a booster every 6 months---we know it just means a delay in finding services, but we are
at least 70 long miles from possible help for the dogs.
Have all of the shot records with you---then kick back and enjoy watching your pups running free---
Have a GREAT trip and if you head out our way, check out the Camping Page on the Bahia Asuncion Community Web Site for some ideas for camping in some beautiful areas on the central Pacific side. Some quite
isolated and beautiful places.
Have a GREAT time---you and fur babies
[Edited on 11-17-2010 by DianaT]
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motoged
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Location: Kamloops, BC
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
.... The pointer mix is brindle and looks a lot like many Mexican dogs I've seen over the years. |
Like this one?
Or this one:
Don't believe everything you think....
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absinvestor
Senior Nomad
Posts: 725
Registered: 11-28-2009
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I agree with Dianne T. We travel with a Golden Retriever and an Australian Sheperd. Both dogs are afraid of, and avoid, snakes and respond well to
voice commands. Once in Mexico the Golden never sees a leash. If there is a yappy small dog running loose on a beach we will leash up the Australian
Shepherd since she can be a little rough with a smaller dog. We travel extensively and have seen many snakes in the US but so far have yet to see a
live one in Baja. (In Mexico our time out of the motorhome is spent almost exclusively on beaches vs the desert. Have a great trip. Ron
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Russ
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Location: Punta Chivato
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I think Mexico requires a recent rabies vaccination. I believe not more than a year old, maybe less. Someone will chime in for a definite on rabies.
My lab is a major chow hound. This morning he eat 1/2 a bag of dog food and a lot of tortillas that a poor camper left unattended. There are worse
thing out there that can be scavenged. For the first rattle snake vaccine it is a double dose. The second one 2 weeks after the first and some vets
say they are good for a year. I haven't come across any snakes after Nov. but that doesn't mean they all hibernate. You and the dogs will have a
blast.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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DianaT
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Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Russ
....I haven't come across any snakes after Nov. but that doesn't mean they all hibernate........ |
Since I love to hike in the mountains and in the desert, but I am deathly afraid of rattlesnakes, according to John and my oldest son, no matter what
the time of year, it is either too cold, too hot, too windy, too bright, too overcast, or too something for the rattlesnakes to ever be out. So I now
believe that they only live underground. 
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toneart
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Registered: 7-23-2006
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In addition to what Diana said, an International Health Certificate is required. They are filled out by a vet and must be dated within 72 hours of
crossing the border. That is not always convenient. Some vets will post date them and some won't. Mine will, but they are not supposed to. This is
required by both the U.S. and Mexico for entry to each country. I always get one because I do not want my dog confiscated. Having said that, I have
never been asked for it by either country.
In the U.S., Rabies shots are good for three years. Always carry the certificate with you. In Mexico, they require a new Rabies shot every year.
Around Mulege and the SOC beach areas, the Rattlesnakes seem to come out in March-April. That is not to say they are not around at other times, but
that is when people really notice them. I have heard that the vaccine doesn't last very long.
My dog is mostly on a leash when walking anywhere, but I do let him run on the beach. He is very good about responding to my voice commands.
Regarding all the requirements and precautions, I have never been checked for any of them in Baja. There have been many dog threads on BajaNomad. They
all pretty much say the same thing.
Still, better safe than sorry.
Have fun. Your dogs will love it.
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RufusTheDoofus
Newbie
Posts: 20
Registered: 11-16-2010
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Thanks for all the replies.
I'm aware of the certificate of health requirement. We plan to get that taken care of around San Diego. My wife has relatives in LaJolla we'll be
staying with for a few days before we cross into Mexico.
Does anyone know specifically which snakebite vaccine we should get for Mexico? I'm aware of Red Rock. There are apparently a number of different
varieties for different geographic areas to deal with different snake venom. Which type of rattler is common to Baja?
BTW, our vet is currenlty researching it for us. They have never had a request for a rattlesnake vaccine up here in the woods of Maine.
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Woooosh
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Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
Coastal: camping sites as close to the high-tide line as reasonably possible.
We do plan to keep the dogs on leashes most of the time. When not on a tethered leash they are on Dogtra field training collars. They are good for
up to 1 mile line of site or a half mile in the woods.
Thanks for the suggestion on photos. The pointer mix is brindle and looks a lot like many Mexican dogs I've seen over the years.
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We have six labs in Rosarito. Just the normal 5 in 1 (parvo, distemper, etc) and a rabies shot are fine. Our dogs never make it off the sand, unless
it's a San Diego dog park- - so no snake avoidance classes or shots yet for us. We don't do leashes (except for the 15 year old lab who is in his
second puppyhood and wanders with impunity). We also use the four-dog dogtra remote collar system and the salt water and sand hasn't bothered them at
all after a year of daily use on the beach. Your dogs will enjoy the trip for sure.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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DianaT
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Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm aware of the certificate of health requirement. We plan to get that taken care of around San Diego. My wife has relatives in LaJolla we'll be
staying with for a few days before we cross into Mexico.
Does anyone know specifically which snakebite vaccine we should get for Mexico? I'm aware of Red Rock. There are apparently a number of different
varieties for different geographic areas to deal with different snake venom. Which type of rattler is common to Baja?
BTW, our vet is currenlty researching it for us. They have never had a request for a rattlesnake vaccine up here in the woods of Maine.
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Maybe your vet can just check with any San Diego Vet and see what they use----
Now, for those woods in Maine, what they really need is a Black Fly vaccine for humans----boy, did we time our trip back there at the wrong time!
Beautiful, beautiful country, and I want to go back again at a better time of the year because those black flies are VICIOUS. 
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Woooosh
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Registered: 1-28-2007
Location: Rosarito Beach
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Mood: Luminescent Waves at Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DianaT
| Quote: | Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
Thanks for all the replies.
I'm aware of the certificate of health requirement. We plan to get that taken care of around San Diego. My wife has relatives in LaJolla we'll be
staying with for a few days before we cross into Mexico.
Does anyone know specifically which snakebite vaccine we should get for Mexico? I'm aware of Red Rock. There are apparently a number of different
varieties for different geographic areas to deal with different snake venom. Which type of rattler is common to Baja?
BTW, our vet is currenlty researching it for us. They have never had a request for a rattlesnake vaccine up here in the woods of Maine.
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Maybe your vet can just check with any San Diego Vet and see what they use----
Now, for those woods in Maine, what they really need is a Black Fly vaccine for humans----boy, did we time our trip back there at the wrong time!
Beautiful, beautiful country, and I want to go back again at a better time of the year because those black flies are VICIOUS. |
and the green heads and the no-see-ums. Eaten alive for sure.
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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RufusTheDoofus
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We live in the Western Mountains area not too far from the Canadian border. The black flies are horrible around here. I tend to shower less
frequently during black fly season, it really helps.
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Woooosh
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| Quote: | Originally posted by RufusTheDoofus
We live in the Western Mountains area not too far from the Canadian border. The black flies are horrible around here. I tend to shower less
frequently during black fly season, it really helps. |
Not showering will help keep pests away here too... lol
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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BajaGringo
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
We don't do leashes (except for the 15 year old lab who is in his second puppyhood and wanders with impunity). |
You really made me laugh with that one. Our yellow lab Dakota at 14 years is going through exactly the same thing...
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Woooosh
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Location: Rosarito Beach
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| Quote: | Originally posted by BajaGringo
| Quote: | Originally posted by Woooosh
We don't do leashes (except for the 15 year old lab who is in his second puppyhood and wanders with impunity). |
You really made me laugh with that one. Our yellow lab Dakota at 14 years is going through exactly the same thing...
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Doggie Alzheimer's. He is a very happy camper though. He's part blind and limps a lot, and is a little incontinent (but nothing we can't handle).
He does love to follow that lab nose of his all over the beach. Once in a while I'll still give him a newspaper or a smaller piece of firewood to
carry and he really perks up. We're just making sure he has no bad days until his last one comes around. We're not in a hurry and he isn't either
apparently...
\"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing\"
1961- JFK to Canadian parliament (Edmund Burke)
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