The letters look cryptic, but each stands for a disease. On a vet record you may see DHPP, DHLPP, DA2PP or just distemper combo.
What each letter stands for
D is distemper, a viral disease affecting the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. H is hepatitis, caused by canine adenovirus. P is parvovirus, a severe gut infection that is especially dangerous for puppies. The last P is parainfluenza, one of the viruses behind kennel cough. Some versions add an L for leptospirosis, which the kennel recommends rather than requires.
Why it is core
The AVMA describes core vaccines as those recommended for every pet. Distemper and parvovirus fall in that group for dogs, which is why a kennel asks for them without exception. Puppies get a series of doses, then a booster at one year, then the interval your vet sets. The Happy Paws puppy minimum is 16 weeks of age, with the recommended vaccines for the age received.
What the record must show
The vaccination record needs the vaccine name, the date given and the expiry. It must stay valid through the last day of the stay. Upload it to your online account, email it or bring a copy. If your record says DA2PP or DHLPP, that is the same family; the staff will tell you if anything is missing. Check the vaccination requirements for the full list.
Related pages
Read DHPP for boarding, parvo in dogs and the puppy vaccine schedule. For titer testing, see titer test.
Reading your vet's printout
Records vary between clinics. You may see DHPP, DHPP-L, DA2PP, DAPP or Distemper Combo. They all belong to the same family. Look for the date given and the date it is due. If your dog had a puppy series, the last dose in the series and the one-year booster are the two dates to know. If the record is missing a due date, ask the clinic to add it. The kennel needs to see a date that does not expire before pick-up.
Parvovirus is the disease most often named in kennel conversations because it spreads through contaminated ground and is hard on young dogs. Distemper can affect the lungs and the nervous system. Adenovirus can harm the liver. Parainfluenza joins the respiratory group described under CIRDC.