Hi there and a belated welcome!

Just catching up. First things first.  Abby is GORGEOUS! Such a sweet expression, and your love and dedication to her welfare come shining through your posts.

Has anyone had experience with dog laying on the surgery side. I left the room for two minutes and when i came back she had flipped herself over and was laying on the surgery side. She didnt seem uncomfortable so i just left her there until she let me know that she wanted to be moved. I just worry about her hurting the incision.

Yes. My Meg, who lost the same leg, did this also. It did not present any problems for us, so I just let her lie in whatever way she found most comfortable. 

Re the difficulties getting up, Abby is just one day post op? Is that right? My Meg was still in hospital at this stage, and despite having been extremely one-sided for almost a year pre-op, she refused to walk at all for at least two days. After that she never looked back. Took to the three-legged life like a champ, and had one of the most straightforward recoveries I've ever heard of. So what I'm saying is... I really wouldn't worry. Abby will soon be getting up by herself and hopping around, no problem. In the meantime, I would keep trying with the sling and, as Karen says perhaps use a towel for extra cushioning. In our case, the harness didn't touch the incision, so Meg was fine with it, but obviously you and your vet will be the best judges of Abby's particular situation. Good idea from Petra too, re maybe lifting the blanket or bed to help her up. Do make absolutely sure that there is good traction where she is trying to stand. That really is essential.

I know dogs rely on their elbows to help hold their head up when they are laying down.

Could you give her a firm bolster cushion to rest her head on? Just see if she likes it?

Pills arent usually an issue with her but if she still wont eat tomorrow i will try the melted cheese trick. What dog refuses cheese right. Haha.

If this doesn't work, and it hopefully will, then you could also try liver paté. My girls will gulp down anything if its buried in a lump of liver paté.

Just one other thought re the eating.... You're not mixing her tramadol in with her food, are you? I did this, not realising it's extremely bitter. That's the only time Meg refused to eat. You probably know this already, but just thought I'd mention, in case.

You're not doing 'ok', you are doing an AMAZING job. Things will get easier, as Abby recovers. Stay connected. We are here for you!

Big hug,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

I am SO pleased to see how well Abby is doing. What a trooper! Just fantastic, and the ramps look amazing. Ditto Petra's hug for your Dad.

How long have people experienced that it takes for them to build up the strength in their other front leg and shoulder. She was a pretty lazy dog pre op so it really wears her out to hobble around

This was different for us, because Meg lost her leg because of orthopaedic issues and had been one sided for a considerable time, so it wasn't a sudden adjustment. If you have a rehab vet anywhere near you, then, once Abby's staples come out, I would recommend a visit if you can. Tripawds will even pay for her first visit http://tripawds.....bursement/ so you really have nothing to lose. Meg did hydrotherapy on an underwater treadmill to help build up her strength in her remaining legs. But also, and perhaps even more important, is building core strength as it's this that really supports tripawds and helps them build stamina. A rehab vet will be able to teach you exercises you can do with Abby at home. 

Re the weight, yes it certainly is important to get that as low as healthily possible as that will greatly help Abby's mobility. But I wouldn't worry about that right now while she's recovering from surgery. Again, for us the rehab vet provided invaluable support on weightloss, and there's lots of useful info on this site too.

I haven't used ramps myself, so no specific tips. Petra gives great advice above. Abby is likely find it harder going down ramps and stairs than going up but I am sure that with encouragement and tempting food she will soon be hopping up and down.

Big hugs,

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx