I would personally be suspicious of anything they put on the puppy before you got him which might have had chemicals, specifically perfumes, in whatever he was washed with or other products they might have used, to which you are particularly sensitive...whether you knew it at the time. You could even contact them to find out what products they used on him...you could even ask if they sell them. If they bother you, you'd want to avoid them in the future anyway. I have friends with a full coated very fluffy long haired dog and whatever they use on that dog smells really nice, but gives me respiratory issues, a sore throat, and a screaming migraine, so I try not to get too much into holding, hugging, and kissing on that darling baby.
Because he is so cute, and sweet, loving, cuddly, and new, you likely were holding him up close to your face where, even if you couldn't smell anything, you would have been breathing in the chemicals. I have this problem with some pet products, especially the spray conditioners and detanglers. They smell nice but I cannot breathe the vapors from the chemicals. I have had the same reaction to human perfumes that I cannot smell in the air at all, only if I get really close to where the perfume was applied, but if I breathe them in, I start 'hacking up a lung' and it's the nebulizer for me for at least a week.
If it was me, knowing I cannot breathe in such things, if I smelled anything, I'd have given him a bath as soon as I got him home with something unscented, and/or as natural as possible...at the very least, give him a snuggle-soak in some nice warm water...but I know I have issues with breathe-ables. Some of the natural, and natural flea repellant, shampoos, etc., are herb and/or spice based and make your babies smell absolutely lovely...oops...gave away my little secret!
Good luck, I hope you are well soon, and CONGRATULATIONS on the new baby!
