126 | Chronic kidney disease in 2026: What's changed, and why do we need to know about it as vet nurses?

Today we're revisiting a disease really close to my heart - chronic kidney disease. And while we've chatted about CKD on the podcast before - all the way back in 2024 - this year, in 2026, a LOT has changed.

We've now got new tests, brand new treatments, and new guidelines to follow. The IRIS guidelines, treatment recommendations, and iCatCare guidelines have all had a brand new refresh for 2026 and the way we support these patients - and their families - is getting a major upgrade.

So in this episode, we're chatting all about how to nurse CKD the right way. We'll recap what CKD is, why it happens, and then look at the treatment and nursing these patients need - and where our skills fit into it all.

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Resources mentioned this episode:

📲 2026 IRIS staging guidelines: https://www.iris-kidney.com/s/IRIS_staging_guidelines-2026.pdf

📲 2026 iCatCare CKD guidelines: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X261466553

📲 iCatCare CKD caregiver guide: https://icatcare.org/resources/cat-carer-guide-managing-chronic-kidney-disease-in-cats.pdf

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