DECATUR - Summer wouldn't be the same without hikes in the park, picnics at the lake and weekend road trips with best friends. But when those friends are pets, it's important to remember that they, too, are sensitive to the heat, said Dr. Larry Baker of Northgate Pet Clinic. He offered tips on how to safely include family members of the canine variety.

Dogs who become excited can succumb to heat stroke at temperatures as low as 70 degrees, Baker said. When their temperature increase doesn't stop, he said, dogs can go into symptoms of heat stroke. Short-nosed or brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and Boston terriers are especially susceptible to the effects of high temperatures.

Excessive panting, inability to get up or unresponsiveness to the owner, what Baker called a "semi-comatose state," can all be signs of heat stroke in dogs.

Immersing them in water is the quickest and best way to cool down dogs, Baker said. Lakes, pools, ponds, garden hoses or even a child's wading pool can be used to help dogs in heat-related trouble. If their behavior and temperature don't normalize after a short cooling period, Baker said, owners should seek medical attention.

Leaving dogs in cars even for a short time can have deadly consequences, Baker warned.

"I saw two Chihuahuas that died in 10 minutes in a car," he said.

Always provide fresh water and have shady spots available for your dog if it is going to spend time outside. Ice water is OK, Baker said, but dogs should be discouraged from chewing the ice, as it can break their teeth.

Scientific studies have yet to establish whether clipping dogs' fur in the summer helps or hinders their ability to stay cool. Because they lose their heat through their tongues, it's unclear what purpose a summertime cut serves dogs, Baker said.

Baker said he's seen heat stroke in only one cat. Because of the time they spend outdoors, dogs are at the greatest risk for heat-related illness, he said. Walk dogs in the early morning and evening, and avoid extended strolls in the heat of the day.

Pets also can succumb to dehydration if they aren't getting enough water.

"A dehydrated pet just isn't feeling good," Baker said. "And he'll act like he isn't feeling good."

Additional summer hazards to dogs and other pets can include firecrackers, baseball bats and fishhooks when dogs are out at the ball field or on the boat, flies, fertilizer, insect and vermin bait, and mosquitoes, fleas and ticks, which can carry potentially deadly parasites.

Annie Getsinger can be reached at agetsinger@herald-review.com or 421-6968.