WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER MATS WITH HOLES?
People are suddenly buying up all sorts of rubber mats with holes, so much so that these mats are now trending "best seller" and "Amazon choice" on Amazon. People buying these mats think they are improving traction in their whelping box, and that might be true. But they are not preventing the specific type of foot-slipping that results in hip laxity and the development of hip dysplasia.
People are suddenly buying up all sorts of rubber mats with holes, so much so that these mats are now trending "best seller" and "Amazon choice" on Amazon. People buying these mats think they are improving traction in their whelping box, and that might be true. But they are not preventing the specific type of foot-slipping that results in hip laxity and the development of hip dysplasia.
THESE MATS WILL NOT PREVENT THE DAMAGE TO THE TERES LIGAMENT THAT RESULTS IN HIP DYSPLASIA BECAUSE THEY DO NOT PREVENT THE EXTENSION AND ADDUCTION OF THE BACK LEGS.
I will write a longer explanation that summarizes information from the more detailed posts I have made about this, but in the meantime here are the critical elements:
I tested all of these mats and dozens more (and I still have some of the test mats in my bath and shower, where they work just fine). But none of these mats prevented the slipping that damages the teres ligament and increases the risk of hip dysplasia.
If somebody is claiming they found a terrific mat for the whelping box on Amazon, ask them if it protects the teres ligament. If you get a blank stare, you will know they don't understand the critical link between damage to the teres ligament and hip dysplasia.
Please do your homework. There is lots of information here about the role of damage to the teres ligament in the development of hip dysplasia.
------> ATTENTION!
Mats intended for commercial kitchens or livestock areas have holes that are too deep for tiny puppies. A puppy could BREAK A LEG on one of these mats! PLEASE DON'T EVEN TRY THEM!
The "ANNOUNCEMENTS" posts at the top of this group provide information about the development of my Traction Mat and how you can participate in the development with your next litter.
I will write a longer explanation that summarizes information from the more detailed posts I have made about this, but in the meantime here are the critical elements:
- the holes need to be the right distance apart
- the holes need to be the right size for the foot
- the mat needs to be the right thickness
I tested all of these mats and dozens more (and I still have some of the test mats in my bath and shower, where they work just fine). But none of these mats prevented the slipping that damages the teres ligament and increases the risk of hip dysplasia.
If somebody is claiming they found a terrific mat for the whelping box on Amazon, ask them if it protects the teres ligament. If you get a blank stare, you will know they don't understand the critical link between damage to the teres ligament and hip dysplasia.
Please do your homework. There is lots of information here about the role of damage to the teres ligament in the development of hip dysplasia.
------> ATTENTION!
Mats intended for commercial kitchens or livestock areas have holes that are too deep for tiny puppies. A puppy could BREAK A LEG on one of these mats! PLEASE DON'T EVEN TRY THEM!
The "ANNOUNCEMENTS" posts at the top of this group provide information about the development of my Traction Mat and how you can participate in the development with your next litter.
