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Selecting a Veterinarian in Baja
Welcome to the new Insider series on caring for your
pet in Baja California. Whether your a part-time or full-time resident of
Baja there are unique challenges to pet ownership here. In this series we
will address those issues and provide a forum to answer reader questions
by local veterinarians. Let's
start by saying that pet care in Mexico is not a 3 billion dollar a year
industry like it is in the US and Canada. There are no Petco stores in
Baja that I am aware of, and the selection of toys and food can be limited
at supermarkets and tiendas de mascotas. (pet stores) Although, I did see
a miniature poodle in a leather biker outfit, I have no idea where it came
from. Click here to submit a question or topic
suggestion for our Pet Care Column
 Dog food is relatively
expensive. I pay as much for a 40lb mediocre brand name here in Baja
as I did for a premium brand in San Diego. Purina and Pedigree, along with
a Mexican brand are available at major supermarkets. Dog food is dead
weight and you pay for that truck ride down Baja. Many vets carry more
premium foods and care items as well. More
below... |
Dr. Tapia explained, people are unaware of the dangers of anesthesia in
both humans and pets. Allergic reactions can develop and the dangers
increase with age, number of sedations and duration. Not all surgeries
that go well have a happy ending, despite proper administration of
anesthesia and operating skills.
(As far as care for your fish - we recommend a light breading and a
twist of lime) |
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 Health
care for pets in Baja is different too, but is more available than you
would think. My last vet was in La Jolla, CA. (imagine!) He had X-ray,
hydro therapy, cat scans and dogs scans. I rarely got out of that office
for less than $250. The facilities here can be less sophisticated, I have
heard of a doctor in La Paz pushing two kennel crates together to perform
emergency surgery following a car accident. (the dog lived!) However,
their
desire, and possibly ability, to save your pet's life is not diminished.
We recently had the ordeal of two very sick pups and in the past three
weeks I have spent a significant amount of time discussing Baja pet care
with our new vet in Cabo San Lucas, Dr. Cesar Tapia.
Prior to our recent emergencies, I had used a vet in La
Paz, Dr. Tomas. Dr. Tomas is a favorite with North Americans living in La
Paz and speaks fluent English. I had been impressed with Dr. Tomas' care
of my puppy and call for a referral to a vet in Los Cabos when my 8 month
old Labrador, Abby, suddenly became very ill. Dr. Tomas recommended Dr.
Cesar Tapia in downtown Cabo San Lucas.
 Dr.
Tapia has been a veterinarian in Baja for almost 20 years and speaks
excellent English. A graduated of the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de
Mexico in 1984, his early experience here was with large animals - cows
and horses. There he developed his surgical skills. Now, he and his wife
Patricia, serve the medical needs of dogs and cats exclusively in an
office he designed to be a veterinary clinic on calle Narciso Mendoza.e/
Revolucion. (Map #11) Although Dr. Tapia's facilities lacked some
of the technology of stateside vets, but his nose to nose involvement
with Abby put me at ease. In his beautifully clean and spacious examination
room my Lab reluctantly took in 4 IV's in 3 days. On day 4 Abby's health
crashed, it was evident
that surgery would have to be done to save her.
Dr. Tapia encourages many clients to accompany the patients into the
operating room. In a separate surgery room we trussed Abby up on the
stainless steel operating table as he began to administer anesthesia. Dr.
Tapia believes his gift for saving animals is his surgical skills. Yet he
is always timid to put an animal under the knife. "Anesthesia and surgery
place a great deal of stress on an animals system." says Tapia. "I only
like to use that weapon when no other alternatives are available."
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Veterinaria
La Gaviota
Dr. Cesar Tapia
Narcisco Mendoza
E/ Revolucion y Carranza
Cabo San Lucas
624-143-1370
624-143-3808
Science Diet Pet Foods Available |
I remained in the operating room throughout and only had to turn away when
the knife initially met flesh. As difficult as it was to see my dogs
entrails passed through the doctor's fingers, it was equally rewarding
when we discovered the problem. A knotted intestine was tucked back
through to it's proper location and before our eyes Abby's digestive track
returned to work.
 Through many visits I have had
opportunity to get to know Dr. Tapia. He has shared his aspirations for
expanded facilities, even a pathology lab, "Someday", he says.
He also shared the pain of the loss of his patients -
too often pet owners come to him to late and expect miracles, casting
blame when the pet is lost. "There are different ways to love animals."
say Tapia. "Mine is to be here when they are sick." And he is, on call 365
days a year. What can you do to keep your pets healthy?
Keep them away from street animals and their excrement, provide regular
vaccinations and develop a relationship with a veterinarian. "It's very
helpful when I know how your dog (or cat) behaves when healthy in making
diagnosis when the pet is ill." say Dr Tapia.
Find a vet you can communicate with, whether in
English, Spanish or pictograms. The time to find a vet and develop
confidence in his skills is before you have an emergency.
Pay attention to your pet. Changes in behavior and eating habits are clues
to a greater problem. An abnormally withdrawn, depressed or lethargic pet
should seek medical attention while treatments can be effective. Pets will
mask their infirmities until they are so ill it becomes evident, which is
often too late. I have invited Dr. Tapia to write for us
and provide insight into the particular challenges facing pets in Baja,
and we look forward to his installments and replies to your questions in
the coming weeks. I would also invite our readers and
other Baja vet's to post veterinary contact information, emergency and
specialties here, free of charge. I would also like to
mention that Dr. Tapia provides a great deal of his time for the Humane
Society of Los Cabos. He encourages our readers to visit the shelters when
looking for a new pet. Many of these animals will make excellent pets and
as Dr. Tapia says, "...are more resistant to heat and disease then breed
dogs. Since natural selection is still part of their existence."
 Today,
three weeks later, Abby is alive and almost fully recovered. I feel
fortunate, as only 1 in 4 dogs survive her affliction. I attribute her
survival to prompt care, Dr. Tapia's treatments and surgical skills and
her failure to quit.
Always keep your pet leashed. Street dogs may cause your pet to challenge
and dart into the street. Such a sad incident occurred to a friend of mine
in La Paz this winter. It also helps limit exposure to infected fecal
material that could make your dog seriously ill.
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