Can dogs go a bit senile?

[youaremychocolatecake]

I have a 9 year old chihuahua who apart from being a bit old and stinky is generally in pretty good health and have never had any issues with him. Last year his face swelled up and he had to have quite a lot of teeth removed and this year he is currently having treatment for quite a severe fungal ear infection (antibiotics and daily ear cleaning with drops) but I am noticing some strange behaviours recently alongside the ear. He has tried to escape out of the front door twice. Would never bother to go near it before even if it was wide open for hours. He has been weeing and pooing everywhere. He has always the odd naughty wee on a carrier bag left lying around etc. but it's like he's gone out of control. I will walk him in the morning and he will come straight back in and go and wee in the bathroom where he has never done it before. It's got to the point where I am cleaning up dog mess in the house more than once a day also during his evening walk the other day which he normally loves, he just stopped and sat down and had to be carried home. He also seems to be eating more than usual (I think?) but has lost weight 4.5kg down to 4kg in 1 year (he is a big chihuahua) can dogs just go a bit batty or are these signs of something more serious and should I ask for blood tests etc when I go back next week? X

Definitely something to raise with the vet - although our old girl did go a bit dotty.

Agree with mistlethrush get the vet to look at him. Could be a urinary tract infection if he's suddenly started weeing inappropriately or kidney related.

Eating more and losing weight is definitely something you need to get checked out.

Is nine old for a chihuahua? Aren't they very long lived? I thought nine would be about middle aged.

Don't know about dogs but my parents' cat was diagnosed with feline senile dementia. She used to just forget where she was - she'd get lost in the (very small) garden and sit miaowing at nothing. Lots of other things too, but senile dementia in animals does happen.

As far as I know chihuahuas usually live well into their teens but I've always thought 7+ was old age for a dog regardless of breed. By no means a doggy expert though so could have that wrong. X

No I'm not a doggy expert either chocolatecake I just assumed that if a dog's life expectancy is longer it will reach old age later, if that makes sense. I'm probably totally wrong.

So yes in that case I suppose 9 is quite old. My dog's breed is also potentially long lived (16 years or so) so I suppose it's wishful thinking on my part.:)

Dogs can get dementia, but those are not usually the signs. Sounds more like he is incontinent which could also be causing him some pain and making him act uncharacteristically. I'd pop him to the vets.