DHPP, DHLPP, DA2PP-L, DA2PP-C… What Exactly Is In That Dog Vaccine And What Will It Do For My Pet?
It’s a new year, which means at some point we will receive e-mails or reminder cards in the mail from the vet to schedule our pets’ annual wellness exams and vaccinations. After looking at my own pets’ list of vaccinations, I wanted to know exactly what was being injected into my dogs and why. The most common vaccinations are: rabies, bordetella, distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Many of these vaccines are identified only by acronyms on paper which can make it difficult to understand, even for our own professional Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters.
Rabies vaccines are clearly identified by name and are required by law. Rabies vaccines are administered in either one-or three-year doses. If your dog receives the rabies vaccine identified as ‘one year’, your dog must be vaccinated annually according to law. Your dogs’ rabies certificate will indicate whether a one- or three-year vaccine was administered. A three-year vaccine will have a higher fee, as will the accompanying tag issued in conjunction with the county. While the actual rabies tag is tied to county, these records will also be required to attain your local dog registration or license. Townships like Elmhurst, Wheaton, Downers Grove, La Grange and Lisle will require rabies documentation prior to giving you their own dog registration tags. This is also true when trying to attain off-leash dog park licenses, such as through the DuPage County Forest Preserve for off-leash parks in Oak Brook, Glendale Heights and Naperville.
Another common vaccination for dogs is the bordetella vaccine. This vaccine helps protect your dog from the highly contagious respiratory disease known as “kennel cough”. Bordetella can be administered subcutaneously, or intranasally. Dogs that spend time at daycares or groomers are often required to have this.
The acronyms, DHPP, DHLPP, DA2PP-L, DA2PP-C, often appear on our dogs’ summary report of vaccines. These acronyms stand for a combination of vaccines that protect against serious viruses. DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza. DHLPP is the same as DHPP with the additional vaccine for Leptrospirosis. DA2PP-L stands for Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis. DA2PP-C includes the vaccine for Coronavirus.
The above acronyms are combinations that help protect our dogs from serious viruses and infections. The distemper virus affects a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems. The hepatitis vaccine protects against canine adenovirus-2 and adenovirus-1, often written as A2. Hepatitis affects a dog’s liver, while adenovirus-2 can cause respiratory disease and is an infectious agent that can be associated with kennel cough. The parvovirus vaccine protects against a highly contagious virus that can attack the digestive and immune systems. Parainfluenza is a mild respiratory viral disease that is included in the combination of vaccines. The leptrospirosis vaccine helps protect against a serious bacterial disease that affects the kidneys and liver and can be transmitted to humans. Coronavirus is a viral disease that typically affects the intestinal tract. The rabies vaccine is considered a core vaccine, while some vaccines such as leptospirosis and coronavirus are considered noncore, or optional.
In addition to the vaccines described above, there are others available that might benefit your pet, such as the vaccine against Lyme disease. Now that I have more confidence reading my dogs’ vaccination history, I can ask my vet questions as to which vaccines would benefit my dogs the most and how often they need to administered. I can also ask about titer testing, which is a blood test to determine the levels of antibodies present in the bloodstream, which can be a good gage as to when vaccines need a boost. Take a second look at your dogs’ vaccination history and be sure you understand all that your dog is being protected against.
One vet gives Da2pp-L and another gives DHLP-Parvo. Are vaccines needed a matter of the vet opinion based on where I live? When one gives one and another gives another it seems like getting her vaccinated is a matter of ‘Roll the dice and take your chances’ rather than consistent standards across the vet field. Trusting the vets would be easier if all annual shots were comparable and clear.
I am a Vet Tech and I’m just going to be completely honest and tell you what I know based on the best of my knowledge gained through 10+ years experience in a Vet Clinic, plus multiple lectures from Rep’s explaining the differences in Vaccines, as well as what I have seen with my own two eyes! So, first and foremost – if given the choice, I would request the DA2PP-L every time over the alternative. Here’s why:
DHLP-Parvo = Distemper + Hepatitis + Leptospirosis + Parainfluenza + Parvovirus
– Hepatitis protection is gained by Adenovirus type 1 (the canine hepatitis virus) in the vaccination
– Infectious canine hepatitis is an acute liver infection in dogs caused by canine adenovirus type-1
– DHPP / DHLPP covers adenovirus type 1 and may or may not cover adenovirus type 2
DA2PP-L = Distemper + Adenovirus type 2 + Parvovirus + Parainfluenza + Leptospirosis
– Hepatitis protection is also gained by Adenovirus type 2 vaccine, because it cross protects against Adenovirus type 1 (the more pathogenic of the two strains)
– Adenovirus type 2 causes respiratory infections in dogs
– Canine Combination vaccines which contain A2, are so similar to A1 that the vaccine for type 2 creates immunity for both.
With all that being said, there are lots of Drug Companies who make these vaccines, and sometimes a DHPP or DHLPP does actually contain the Adenovirus type 2 Vaccine – but it depends on the manufacturer and you would have to see the sticker off the vile to know for sure (most vets put the corresponding sticker with the lot number in the chart of the dog of whom it was administered)
My dog has current DA2PP from her CA living. Now we reside in WY and her new border wants Leptospirosis as well. They also want CIRD because it’s nasal, but she has adnovirus and Parainfluenza from her DA2PP. If they don’t accept her Leptospirosis and Bordatella to fill in the blanks will it be harmful to get the CIRD even though it feels repetitive???
My 12 year old rescue had to be full vaccinated before I could get him out of kill shelter. Three months later I palpated a mass very near the vaccination site. Cells were aspirated. Sarcoma (malignant cancer) is what he developed. Inoperable.
Why did a 12 year old himalayian terrier need vaccinations when he already had a lifetime of vaccinations?
The way it works is that when a vaccination is given we develop antibodies which we have for life.
How can repetitive vaccinating make sense? He already had the antibodies.
Since by law I had to vaccinate my other dog for rabies (7 yr old lab), I got a titer ($200.00). As I suspected, she did not need another vaccination that the law said she had to have. Essentially, ive been poisoning my beloved pet family. I began my research into a corrupt industry….which is about money. Not health care. I am angry & heart broken. I no longer trust the veterinary, pharmecuitcal industry, pet food industry or our government
Yet another good topic you’ve come up with here and it never seems to end the amount of effort needed to get clever new ideas! I too have a dog reltaed blog and feel we could be a suitable fit to exchange an article. Why not check out one of my latest dog articles here- article about dog vaccines and get in touch if you agree! Thanks