What we vaccinate for, why, and how to plan ahead if you're traveling with your pet.
Our vaccine protocols follow the current AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) guidelines for dogs and AAFP (American Association of Feline Practitioners) guidelines for cats. Here's what we vaccinate for, when, and why — plus what to know if you're planning to travel with your pet.
DA2PP protects against four diseases: Distemper, Adenovirus (canine hepatitis), Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. These are serious, highly contagious illnesses — Distemper and Parvo in particular can be fatal, especially in puppies — so this is a core vaccine for every dog.
Bordetella (kennel cough) is a highly contagious respiratory infection spread through the air or direct contact — common wherever dogs gather, like boarding, daycare, or the groomer. This one is an annual vaccine.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease spread through contaminated water or wildlife urine. It's also zoonotic, meaning it can spread from pets to people, which is part of why we recommend it broadly. Dogs get an initial dose plus a booster 3–4 weeks later, then annually after that.
FVRCP protects against three viruses: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia (the feline version of parvo). These are common, highly contagious, and can be especially dangerous for kittens — this is a core vaccine for every cat.
FeLV/FIV testing is recommended for any newly adopted cat — ideally around 16 weeks old, with a second test 4 weeks later if your cat was recently exposed to other cats. This helps us catch Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus early.
The FeLV vaccine is recommended for cats at risk of exposure (indoor/outdoor cats, multi-cat households, etc.). A negative FeLV test is required before vaccinating — the vaccine won't help a cat that's already infected. How often it's needed after the first series depends on your cat's ongoing risk level, which we're happy to talk through at your visit.
What your pet needs before traveling depends on whether they're coming back to Hawaii or not — the two paths are pretty different.
Round trip — coming back to Hawaii: Hawaii is rabies-free, and the state takes that seriously. Pets returning from the mainland go through a quarantine process unless they meet specific requirements in advance.
If your pet has had rabies vaccines before but you don't have the certificates to prove it, the state requires starting the process over from the beginning — so hang onto that paperwork.
A valid rabies titer is good for 36 months for Hawaii's purposes.
For the full quarantine rules, visit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Quarantine page →
One-way — moving to or visiting the mainland without returning: this is simpler. Your pet just needs an up-to-date rabies vaccine, but every state sets its own entry requirements, and most want the vaccine given at least 30 days before travel. Requirements vary by destination state, so it's worth checking before you go.
Look up your specific destination state's requirements on the USDA APHIS interstate pet travel page →
Why does my puppy or kitten need so many shots?
Young animals still have some immunity passed down from their mother, and that fades at an unpredictable rate. The multi-dose series makes sure there's no gap where your pet is left unprotected.
What if my adult pet is overdue on a vaccine?
Depending on how overdue and which vaccine, we may need to restart the initial series rather than just giving a booster. We'll walk you through what your pet needs at their visit.
I'm planning mainland travel — when should I start the rabies process?
As early as possible. Given the 30-day gap between vaccines and the 3-week wait before the blood draw, we recommend starting at least 3 months before you'd need your pet cleared.