Parvo is the disease behind the P in DHPP. This page is background for owners and is not a diagnosis tool.
What parvo is
The American Veterinary Medical Association's canine parvovirus page describes canine parvovirus as a contagious viral disease. The signs it lists include lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting and severe diarrhea. It tells owners to contact a veterinarian immediately when a dog shows such signs, because the illness can progress quickly. With proper care, survival chances are far better than without it, the AVMA says, which is why early veterinary care matters.
Why puppies are most at risk
The AVMA page explains that puppies are especially vulnerable because antibodies from the mother fade before the puppy's own protection is ready. Those maternal antibodies can also blunt the vaccine, so a series of doses is given, with a final dose between 14 and 16 weeks of age. Until the series is complete, the AVMA advises limiting exposure to places such as pet shops, parks and day care. That is the reason the kennel's rule for dogs and cats is 16 weeks old with all recommended vaccinations.
How it fits the kennel's list
The kennel's vaccination page treats distemper and parvo together, noting that they are very different diseases often covered in the same combination shot. The American Animal Hospital Association lists parvovirus type 2 among the core vaccines for all dogs. A current record is needed for every dog, so see the DHPP page for the paperwork.
What to do if you are worried
Call your veterinarian right away if your dog shows the signs above, and tell the clinic if the dog has been around other dogs. Do not wait for it to pass. For puppies, the puppy vaccine schedule page explains how the series relates to boarding, and the requirements page lists everything else.
Parvo is one of several reasons a kennel asks for records before the first day and not at the front gate. Reading and filing paperwork ahead of time is part of what keeps a group setting healthy, and it takes a few minutes of an owner's time.