Plain-English definitions of the terms on your pet's vaccine records and kennel forms, each based on veterinary guidelines.

Source: https://petlifemanager.com/glossary/ · updated 2026-11-04

# Pet Vaccine Glossary: Terms on Your Vet's Records

Plain-English definitions of the words on vaccine records and kennel forms, from DHPP and FVRCP to boosters and titer tests, each based on veterinary guidelines.

Sources: AAHA 2022, AAHA/AAFP 2020, Cornell Feline Health Center, CDC, NASPHV · Last reviewed November 4, 2026

**Core vaccine**

A vaccine recommended for every dog or cat, whatever its lifestyle, unless there is a medical reason not to give it. For dogs: distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, leptospirosis and rabies (AAHA 2022, updated 2024). For cats: panleukopenia, herpesvirus-1, calicivirus, rabies, and FeLV for cats younger than 1 year (AAHA/AAFP 2020).

**Noncore (lifestyle) vaccine**

A vaccine recommended for some pets based on lifestyle, where they live and their risk of exposure, such as Bordetella, Lyme disease or canine influenza for dogs (AAHA 2022).

**Booster**

A later dose that renews or completes protection after the first dose of a vaccine; the last dose of a kitten or puppy series is a booster (AAHA/AAFP 2020).

**Titer test**

A blood test that measures antibodies to judge whether a pet is protected, used before or after vaccination (AAHA/AAFP 2020). Some boarding businesses do not accept titers instead of vaccines.

**DHPP, DAPP, DA2PP**

Names for the dog combination vaccine against distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parvovirus and often parainfluenza. AAHA 2022 calls it DA2PP.

**FVRCP**

The cat combination vaccine against feline viral rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus-1), calicivirus and panleukopenia (AAHA/AAFP 2020).

**FeLV (feline leukemia virus)**

A retrovirus of cats that can become part of the cat's own genes (Cornell Feline Health Center). The vaccine is core for cats younger than 1 year (AAHA/AAFP 2020).

**Bordetella (kennel cough)**

Bordetella bronchiseptica, a bacterium behind canine infectious respiratory disease, often called kennel cough. Its vaccine is noncore, but it is often on boarding and daycare requirement lists, such as PetSmart's.

**Leptospirosis**

A disease caused by Leptospira bacteria found in contaminated water or soil (CDC). Since 2024, AAHA lists its vaccine as core for all dogs.

**Rabies certificate and rabies tag**

The certificate is the signed record of the rabies vaccination; in the US the standard form (NASPHV Form 51) includes the number of the metal rabies tag the pet wears on its collar. Keep the certificate: the tag alone is not the record.

**Microchip**

A small implant under the skin that carries an identification number a scanner can read. It is not a GPS tracker. Register the number with your contact details.

**Modified-live vs killed vaccine**

A modified-live vaccine contains germs weakened so they cannot cause disease; a killed (inactivated) vaccine contains germs that cannot multiply in the body (AAHA/AAFP 2020).

## Use these terms in a document

[Puppy vaccine schedule](https://petlifemanager.com/puppy-vaccine-schedule/) · [Kitten vaccine schedule](https://petlifemanager.com/kitten-vaccine-schedule/) · [Pet health record](https://petlifemanager.com/pet-health-record/)

Pet Life Manager does not give veterinary advice. Ask your veterinarian which vaccines your pet needs.

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