Our pups like to run in the weeds and the woods. Along with the scratches and stabs form the sticks and brush, and sometimes the grasses they eat, there are also plants that can cause problems for your Chessie with just a touch.  

On of the top on the list of bad actor plants is the Cow Parsnip. According to WagWalking.com,  “The cow parsnip is a large perennial related to the carrot, with an umbrella-type group of small, white flowers which can grow up to eight feet tall. It is a native wildflower throughout North America and Canada, but many consider it a weed. Cow parsnip may be found growing on roadsides, in forests, fields and along river edges.”

I know you have seen them, and maybe even had a run in with them yourself.  Most gardeners have experienced the burn , the itch and the blisters when making contact.  One of the things that makes them so bad is that the active chemical in the plant is photosensitive, and the skin irritation and damage intensifies with exposure to sunlight.

A dog in good(heavy) coat, may not have skin contact, but bellies, faces, noses will all be exposed.  Anytime your dog runs into weeds and brush you should check them out for any possible injuries, particularly face and paws(see the post on Foxtails). 

A bath is in order if you know the dog has been exposed to unknow plants, or has been in unfamiliar water, particularly in warmer months.