What do all those vaccine letters mean?

When thinking about vaccines for our furry companions, it’s common to see that mailed postcard with your pets vaccine reminders on it and think, “So they need to visit the vet again, but what does DAPP, DHLPP, FVRCP, Felv vaccine even mean?”.

Let’s review what these vaccine abbreviations mean.

DAPP vaccine stimulates immunity against canine DISTEMPER virus, canine ADENOVIRUS-2, canine PARVOVIRUS and canine PARAINFLUENZA virus.  Canine distemper virus is a contagious disease caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system, respiratory system and intestines of puppies and dogs but is preventable with a completed vaccine series.  Canine adenovirus-2 is a contagious disease caused by a virus that infects the respiratory tract of dogs and can also cause infection of the liver (hepatitis) and is preventable with a complete vaccine series.  Canine parvovirus is a contagious and often lethal infection that targets the intestinal tract, bone marrow and even the heart.  This infection is preventable with a full vaccine series.  Canine parainfluenza virus is a highly contagious respiratory virus that creates respiratoyr signs similar to those of canine influenza (the flu).  This infection is less likely to be contracted with a full vaccine series. 

DHLPP vaccine only differs from the DAPP vaccine in that there is a dose of modified LEPTOSPOROSIS immunity included.  Leptosporosis is a bacterial infection spread through infected animals urine and can be found virtually anywhere outside.  This bacterial infection is also zoonotic, meaning it is a disease that affects humans and animals.

FVRCP vaccine stimulates immunity against FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS, CALICIVIRUS and PANLEUKOPENIA (also known as feline distemper). Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis is an upper respiratory infection of cats caused by feline herpesvirus 1 that can also cause problems during pregnancy.  Calicivirus is an important cause of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats typically causing oral ulcers. Panleukopenia virus is a highly contagious disease that attacks a cats bone marrow, intestines and developing fetus.  This infection use to be a leading cause of death in cats but thanks to the very effective vaccine, this is now an uncommon disease. 

FeLV vaccine stimulates immunity against FELINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS is a contagious viral infection that is shed in saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces and milk of infected cats.  The prevalence of this disease has decreased due to the highly effective vaccine, but cat to cat transmission is possible from infected cats, usually through bite wounds or mutual grooming.