Early Kidney Failure in a Bichon With Skin Growths and an Eye Lesion
by Diana
(Glendale)
This was done via blood work, with a raised BUN and creatinine. At the same time a raised, red, tumor-like lesion has appeared in the center of her cornea (it's red, so I assume blood is involved).
I am wondering if there is any disease linking kidney disease, skin tumors and eye problems?
We don't know of a single disease that links early kidney failure, skin papillomas and a red lesion on the eye, and in older dogs these are often separate problems. Still, it's worth checking a few connections with your vet.
Kidney disease can raise blood pressure, and high blood pressure can damage the eyes, including bleeding inside the eye and sudden blindness. These changes usually affect the inside or back of the eye rather than the surface, but bleeding in the front of the eye can look like a red spot, so it's worth having both checked. Guidelines recommend measuring blood pressure in every dog with kidney disease, so ask your vet to check it. A red, raised lesion on the cornea should also be examined promptly, ideally by a veterinary eye specialist, since some eye growths and ulcers need specific treatment.
For the kidneys, ask your vet to stage the disease using repeat blood tests (creatinine and, if possible, SDMA), a urine test for protein, and the blood pressure reading. Early-stage dogs often do well for a long time with a kidney diet, fresh water at all times and regular rechecks. If the skin growths bother her, ask your vet whether any should be removed or tested.
See kidney disease in dogs and dog food for kidney disease.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
