Transiting the Panama Canal with a dog

[DianaCat]

Hi,

My husband and I are setting sail on a Lagoon 400 in April and our pup (a pug / terrier mix) is coming with us. Our current plan is to spend time on the US East Coast, head to the Caribbean and eventually through the Panama Canal. I've read conflicting information about Panama and am not sure if we need to change our plans or not.

Does anyone have any firsthand knowledge of transiting the canal with a dog? I would love to hear about your experience.

Thanks in advance!

[RyanC]

Cute dog!

[Paul L]

Sure, here's ablog on Capt Morgans Canal Transit
SV J Georgia: October 2011

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, DianaCat.

I believe that Panama requires that your pet be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to travel.

Your veterinarian must then complete the proper veterinary certificate in duplicate and attach the rabies certificate. You must then have it endorsed by the State USDA Office and then by the Panamanian Embassy.

➥ http://www.embassyofpanama.org/pdf/c...requisitos.pdf

[oldjags]

We went through the canal back in late September with our two dogs. It was a lot less stressful than we had thought it would be. In our case, we left Shelter Bay Marina at about 3:00 PM and tied up to the mooring in Lake Gatun by about 6:30. Then, the next day we completed the transit at the Balboa Yacht Club at about 2:30 PM where the puppies were finally able to get off the boat and go pee.

We had carefully planned ahead and had puppy training pads, a place set aside on the bow where they could go relieve themselves. but they would have none of it. We even let them out to walk around on the huge mooring bouy to see if they would go pee there, but they were not interested.

In all, they had to hold it for over 24 hours, but neither one seemed at all stressed. Keep in mind that they will not let you go ashore for any reason during your transit. So the dogs have to either have a place on board to go potty, or they will just have to wait until you are done transiting.

[hokehol]

Hello! I am planning on coming from Colombia with my dog on a boat, what papers did you need to enter Panama?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, hokehol.