Seven years ago I had a beautiful Great Pyrenees that I dearly loved. She was nine years old. One night she got sprayed by a skunk. About a week later she began to act ill. The vet took blood samples and sent them to Texas A & M. Results showed that she had leptospirosis. Despite a massive antibiotic treatment that continued for two weeks, she finally went blind. The vet put her to sleep.
I still miss her.

I think chickens can carry some things also

@JuneOntario I appreciate your response. When it comes down to it with nature, I have a feeling we are really on the same page.