{"id":3051,"date":"2026-05-07T09:27:23","date_gmt":"2026-05-07T09:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetmigo.se\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2026-09-08T14:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-08T14:54:20","slug":"djurvardare-niva-3-sova-sallskapsdjur","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetmigo.se\/en\/djurvardare-niva-3-sova-sallskapsdjur\/","title":{"rendered":"Your clinic needs anesthesia expertise after 2026 \u2013 here's what you need to know (and do)"},"content":{"rendered":"

There has long been a lack of clarity in the industry about what actually applies to level 3 animal caretakers and their right to euthanize pets. There have been many rumors, as well as concerns. Now the Swedish Board of Agriculture has clarified the situation \u2013 and for those of you who run or manage a clinic, there is both good news and a clear window to act within.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we find out what applies to level 3 animal caretakers and their right to euthanize pets, what it means for your business and how you ensure the competence of your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It's happening right now: The Swedish Board of Agriculture's proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the end of April 2026, sent Swedish Board of Agriculture<\/a> issued a regulatory referral (diary no. 5.3.16-07454\/2026) with a proposal that is more important than it sounds: they want to remove the time limit for animal caretakers level 3 completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This means that the right to euthanize pets will no longer have an end date. No new deadline to worry about, no new extension to hope for. Instead, the exemption will be made permanent \u2013 until the system of approved animal caretakers comes into effect on September 1, 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But \u2013 and this is crucial \u2013 the proposal only applies to those who have been trained according to Appendix 5, i.e. the complete basic course in anesthesia and pain relief of at least 80 hours. The simpler pain relief course (Appendix 6, 16 hours) is proposed to be abolished completely. In the future, there will therefore only be\u00a0a<\/strong>\u00a0valid path to anesthesia competence for animal caretakers, and it requires solid training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal is out for consultation and must be decided before December 31, 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What happens if your staff is not trained?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Swedish Board of Agriculture's impact assessment is clear in its description of what happens if clinics lack staff with anesthesia expertise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n