Hip dysplasia - advice please

[Mrs K]

I am posting on behalf of a friend for some opinions. She has an 11 month old dog that the dog walker had said she thought there may be something wrong as her dog had a funny gait.
Last weekend she had her dog out for a walk and all was normal but after about 15 min home her dogs back end was really struggling and it got progressively worse.
She saw the vet the other night who gave the dog Metacalm straight away and asked her to come back in a week but said likely to need x-rays etc as she suspects hip dysplasia but she didn't organise them. My friend came to talk to me and said she felt that the vet was maybe dragging it out for extra consultations etc and she would prefer her dog to just be booked in for x-rays etc asap to get dealing with the prob.
The vet also said that they wouldn't do anything until arthritis set in  
I was honest enough with my friend to say I didn't have a clue if this is wrong or right...but I knew a bunch of people who would  
For the record, my friend is not local to me and I do not know the vet so have no idea whether they are 'good' or 'bad'.

Any ideas on whether x-rays should just been done now and also if the arthritis thing is true or if something can be done sooner?

[*Jay*]

Tbh, I think most vets would try a course of anti-inflammatories first as a matter of routine. However, as the vet has said she suspects HD then I would expect arrangements for x-rays etc to be made at the next consultation.  It might also be worth having the x-rays sent to an orthopaedic specialist to look at - they will send a report back on their interpretation which will also include information regarding possible treatments/procedures. They normally charge about £40-£50 for this. If its mild HD, they normally recommend tweaking the exercise regime to little and often and using joint supplements. Things like hydrotherapy and accupuncture can also be used to help. Ongoing pain relief wouldn't normally be used until arthritis was apparent so maybe thats what the vet meant?

[Lucas]

sorry, coming to this so late, but have only just joined   My dog Lucas was diagnosed with hip dysplasia [severe] after going lame as a young pup. His problem was so bad that they questioned whether he would have any real pain free quality of life at all. He was started on regulat Cartrophen injections [ thankfully all xrays , tests and treatment covered by his insurance] and we have never looked back. He was given a repeat script for rimidyl but after a couple of injections we never had to use pain meds again
The cartrophen worked miracles so far as I'm concerned, he was able to strengthen his muscles with regular exercise, and has lived a full and normal life. He just turned 8 and is a happy [ naughty] typical cocker, full of energy and life .  I would recommend anyone given this diagnosis to ask about cartrophen, it really did save him