“Core” vaccinations are those that are recommended for nearly every member’s pet no matter what their lifestyle or relative disease risk is. These “core” vaccinations should be routinely maintained. Modern Animal recommends DAPP, Bordetella, Lepto, and Rabies for all canines and FVRCP, FeLV and Rabies for all felines. Some vaccines may require a second and/or third booster. 

Here is what they mean and how they work for your four-legged friend. 

• DAPP stands for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo. These are highly contagious viruses.

• The Bordetella vaccine protects your dog from a bacterial organism called Bordetella, which is one of the possible causes of "kennel cough" in dogs.

• Lepto protects your dog from Leptospirosis. Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that is found in water, and in the urine of infected wild animals.

• FVRCP stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. These diseases are endemic in feline populations all over the world.

• FeLV stands for Feline Leukemia Virus. Infected cats may never become clinically ill, but many will go on to develop cancer or experience persistent infections due to immunosuppression.

• The rabies virus is nearly universally fatal in people and animals that contract the disease. Since a hallmark clinical sign of rabies is behavioral changes most commonly recognized as aggression, infection typically occurs through bite wounds.