In a case which experts says is rare, Susie Polson Mackintosh (41) passed the potential killer infection on to her springer spaniel Cudubh.

But she didn't even know she had the superbug when the poorly pooch was found to be suffering from it.

However, her vet, Andrew Hay of Epona Veterinary Services' Crown surgery in Inverness, knew she had recently been admitted to the city's Raigmore Hospital, and suspected she could be the source of the infection.

He suggested the mum-of-two get screened for MRSA, and when she did just that, she was shocked to be told she was indeed positive.

Although one in three people harmlessly carry MRSA, it is potentially fatal in hospital environments among the sick and elderly because of its resistance to many antibiotics. Major campaigns have been run to increase hygiene awareness in a bid to eradicate outbreaks.

Two months ago, Mrs Mackintosh spent a week in Raigmore after a fall, which exacerbated a pelvic condition she has, and she believes that must have been when she contracted the superbug.

She explained: "When I came out of hospital, Cudubh had a wound in his knee joint and it started to leak fluid.

"I took him to the vet, and I could not lift him onto the table because of my bad pelvis so the vet asked what was wrong and I told him I had been in hospital and it was because of this he thought of the possibility of MRSA.

"He took fluid out of Cudubh's knee joint, tested that and then there were more cultures done which came back with MRSA.

"The vet was shocked and I thought it was totally unbelievable. He said it was rare but that vets are starting to see it now with people coming out of hospital with MRSA.

"It was then he suggested I get tested myself."

Mrs Mackintosh, who lives with husband Alan and children Gillies (11) and Charlotte (15) at Redcastle View in Kirkhill, went to her GP, who took a nose swab which she said tested positive for the bacteria. After a full screening, she is now being treated with antibiotics.

A shocked Mrs Mackintosh added: "I feel like a leper – nobody wants to go near me."

Six-year-old pet Cududh has now been given the all-clear following a treatment of antibiotics.

But Mrs Mackintosh feels guilty that she passed the potential killer on to her pet.

"I feel so bad. He could have died," she said. "They were talking about amputating his leg or putting him down. People with dogs or other animals need to know about this threat from MRSA."

This week, veterinary surgeon Mr Hay confirmed Cudubh had MRSA, but that follow-up tests revealed he had been cleared of it.

He explained: "He had this wound I was concerned was not healing so I took samples of it. One of the organisms we check for is MRSA, and when it came back it confirmed my suspicions and we could use the correct treatment.

"It is the first case I have diagnosed," he continued. "As far as I know it is unusual, but because MRSA is prevalent in human communities we are now noticing it is spreading to animals as well. It is something we are concerned about and we do check for."

He added: "The consequences for animals are the same as for people – it can be a fatal disease.

"I was extremely surprised, but glad it was diagnosed, because it was a good outcome for everyone."

A Raigmore Hospital spokeswoman said this week: "We are pleased to hear the MRSA has been identified, and that both Mrs Mackintosh and her dog are being treated and are on the mend."

This week, the British Veterinary Association's former president, Dr Freda Scott-Park, told the Highland News: "It is quite unusual for us to hear of a case where a human has passed MRSA onto an animal."

h.bushnell@highland-news.co.uk

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