allergy

I adopted a part lab 2yr old female. Have had for 2 months and everything fine. Now I get watery eyes and scratchy throat when ever she walks by. She has a distinct odor that only I can smell ( no I am not crazy) and bathing her does not help. Can I now be allergic to her? Have had dogs last 45 yrs and never allergic

[Ghilly]

I'm sorry I am just now responding to your question, but the truth is I really don't know how to answer it for you.

You said you have had dogs for the last 45 years and have never been allergic, but as doctors will tell you, allergies can develop at any time to anything, even if it is something that has never bothered you before.  Our systems change from time to time and things that never affected us at all begin to affect us adversely, and this could be what is happening to you with your dog.

What most people do not realize is that it is not the hair of the animals that most people are allergic to, it's their dander.  Dander is formed when they lick themselves and the saliva dries and flakes off into the air.  Most people who experience running, itching eyes and runny noses when they are around animals will also react adversely to being licked by the animal, since it's the saliva they are actually allergic to and not the hair.

You can try an experiment to see if this is the problem with you and your dog.  Allow her to lick you, and if your skin where she licks you turns red, then you are sensitive to her saliva.  If you don't have a reaction, then think is there something, perhaps, in your yard that she could be rolling in and bringing into the house and that's what's irritating you?  Do you bathe her?  If so, could it be the shampoo that you are using on her that could be responsible?  Have you used any other pet products on her that you might be sensitive to?  If you can think of anything, post back with it.

Ghilly