Barb, I'm so sorry to hear about your dog's hip problems.
Has a vet diagnosed him with hip dyplasia? It certainly sounds like he's in some pain.

I don't have any personal experience with this issue but have been hearing good things about SOD and MSM from some reliable sources for a whole array of issues. I saved the article below on alternative treatments for hip dysplasia
because I also have a large dog that I thought might be prone to such problems. I supplement his food with both SOD and Seameal products and make sure he has a good diet that includes some raw foods and bones with marrow, omega 3 and glucosamine.
I don't know if there is an inexpensive means of treating
this problem regardless of how you approach it. But I'm guessing just like humans alternating heat and cold packs might be helpful along with massage. Heat to relax muscles and cold to reduce inflamation of the joints.
I know how hard it is to know your best buddy is in pain and I am wishing you both well.

Here is a link that might be useful: Alternative Treatments for Dyplasia

You might check out a vet in Arlington that does accupuncture and light adjustments: Jerry Dittrich, 817-467-6688. Our dog was down and couldn't walk, just dragged her hind legs with her front legs. After 2 treatments she was RUNNING! We went a total of 3 times.

Also, I use Knox Nutrajoint (powdered), about 1/2 tsp. on her food. Makes a big difference.

Good luck!

How about glucosamine?

I have a dachshund with the beginnings of degenerative disc disease. Dachshunds are prone to it. Several years ago, I started her on this stuff that is marketed for horses, but the vet showed me on the web where it can be used for dogs. While it is like $30 per bottle, since it is just for a dog, it goes much further than most meds. I would give it a high recommendation. My dog is now 8 (still young, I know, but she has had the disc problem for four years now) and this stuff has really helped.

I get it online at Doctors Foster & Smith. Don't know if you can get it at your local feed store, but might be worth checking. There are two varieties. I get the one with HA on the name. I think I found the amount to give on their website. You start off with a double dose and then after a couple of weeks, I think it was, you go down to the regular dose. All my little woofers get it now as a preventative.

Here is a link that might be useful: Finish Line Fuid Action HA

Oops - I meant to include this link in my first post. It's a tablet that combines SOD with Boswellia. I can't include an endorsement of this product because I haven't had personal experience with it. I've just been listening to others about both its ingredients being super good for these problems, so I saved the link.

Here is a link that might be useful: SOD & Boswellia

Hi Barb -

When my Weim Theo was going down in the back end, visits to Dr. Bruton a chiro/acupuncture vet really helped. He's in Southlake (Animal Healthcare Clinic) on 1709. Some of the Chinese herbs really helped him too (there's one called Hindquarter Weakness, IIRC, as well as others).

Some of the folks on the dog lists also swear by ActiFlex - get the horse product and squirt the liquid over his food.

Give him some ear rubs and a kiss from me....

Lin

Here is a link that might be useful: ActiFlex 4000

What dogfood are you feeding him? Some of the high end foods have formulas that are supposed to help with arthritis and other older dog issues, so that might help some. I use Nutro but there are other good ones too - not available in grocery stores, but good pet stores. Also, keeping a heating pad turned on low under his favorite place to lay down (inside) might help as long as he wouldn't chew on the cord. Trying to think of things that don't put you in the poor house.

Rimadyl. Worked miracles on my 16 y.o. dog.

Another inexpensive treatment is an epsom salt bath/soak.

Just as for human use, the magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) is absorbed through the skin and is an inexpensive and natural way to reduce stress, treat skin problems, and draw toxins from the body. It's cured my own aches and pains many a time.

I've used this on my dog for various things - a sprained foot (followed by a cold pack), when he got tangled in some barbed wire and had a lot of little superficial cuts,
for itching and just general occasional soothing soak.
I'm betting it would provide some soothing relief for your dog's hips. If you have a large plastic bucket or hamper that is big enough for the dog and also has high sides to allow more coverage, it might work better than filling the bath tub. And the dog is more restricted and less likely to move around in a smaller, taller tub. Just don't let him drink it.
Even better than epsom salt baths? A day at the beach
swimming in the salty ocean and lying on the hot sand.
Good for an old dog's soul.

You might also ask this question in the Pet Forum
Here's a link on this subject:

Here is a link that might be useful: Epsom Salt for Dogs

I have had several old dogs and from experence I use Ester vitamin C its natural, fairly cheap and actually works. Do not expect overnight results but after 2-3 weeks you should be able to see improvements. Since the vitamin is not oil based the body won't over load on any extra C . I even use it myself.

Thank you all for your help. I didn't know there were so many thing's out there.
I'll have him checked out by our vet to make sure whats going on.
I was thinking I should have him seen but thought maybe there'd be one thing to try before going that route.

Barb

I'm with Artvandelay999. Rimadyl worked wonders for my lab/rot mix for several years. I'd get him to a vet ASAP to get your friend some help.