[moondog]

I would look into Adequan injections, which really help by helping to replace and maintain the integrity of the synovial fluid in the joints - do a search here and you will find quite a bit of info on it. This is not a drug, but a nutraceutical - a pharmaceutical nutritional treatment, and very effective for joint problems.

As for exercise, you want to develop an exercise routine that helps build the muscle in his hind end. That goes a LONG way for dogs with hip dysplasia, because where the joint is weak the muscle can make up for by helping to stabilize it. Getting him swimming is probably the number one best thing you can do for your dog, and regular moderate exercise (walking, especially using slight inclines, is good).

My daughter has an 8 year old dog with a completely flat socket in one hip. You'd think by this age he'd be completely crippled, but he's not. He has been given daily moderate exercise plus swimming when available his entire life and it's paying off big time now that he's older. His walks are now shorter, but he has no problem getting up and down, needs no pain medications, and is living a very happy life still.