I am so sorry you didn't get better news! I haven't dealt with hip issues, so I'm of no help. Just wanted to mention, if I were you I think I'd get a second opinion. Do you know your vet really well? Have you been going to the same one for years? I had an experience about 12 years ago when we first moved to Az. I had a limping dog and I didn't have a vet down here yet, so I just picked one out of the phone book. She proceeded to tell me all sorts of things were wrong with my dog and how she needed an expensive surgery, etc. Well I couldn't afford any of it, we had just moved from another state, so I waited and hoped her limp would go away. It did, she was fine for years and years after that. I'm not suggesting your vet would try to rip you off, but there are those out there who do that sort of thing. As young as he is, is there a health warrenty thru his breeder?