PITTSBURGH -- According to Dr. Christie Schroth, a Point Breeze veterinarian, the distemper vaccine now needs to be given to pets once every three years instead of once a year.

The rabies vaccine is now recommended every two years instead of yearly.

Schroth also said little dogs are more likely to have vaccine reactions.

“There is a vaccine that I don't like to give little dogs, especially little white dogs, it's called Leptosporosis,”Schroth explained.

This vaccine may only be necessary if you live in the city or your dog swims in creek water.

Schroth said, “We always recommend it for any city dog that's going to be swimming in Frick Park's water. Because there are also deer and squirrels and that bacteria lives in the urine of those animals."

Schroth said you only need to update Bordatella if your dog is going to the kennel or be around other dogs.

As far as cats go, if they stay inside most of the time you can avoid certain vaccines like feline leukemia vaccine.

Schroth said, “The new vaccines we have for cats are yearly because we have a new mixture.”