Dog started pooing in the house :(

[OhBlissOhJoy]

My dog is 12, he's a rescue and I have had him 3 years. He's occasionally pooed in the house, but I've put it down to his arthritis medication as I understand it is a common side effect. Not so long ago his pooing became more frequent and wet so I spoke to the vet and we agreed it was probably the Previcox and moved him on to Tremadol. Things got better, however he hasn't had any medication for a couple of weeks now.
Last week I got up and he had pooed and weed in the kitchen. Then for the last 3 days he's done the same, also a couple of times when I get home from work he's been. He has a dog walker who takes him out every day.

I've got a vets appointment tomorrow but speaking to them on the phone just now they think this could be behavioural rather than medical. Has anyone experienced this?

He goes on a long walk during the day and a shorter walk at night. He usually poos during both walks. Took him out last night (10.30) and he did a poo then up again this morning to another poo in the kitchen.

Hmm, that doesn't sound like very many. It sounds like he goes a long time between the evening walk and then the day walk?

Is there any way he could have another toilet break in the morning?

He goes out at 10.30pm for a walk then is pooing overnight. I can't get up in the night to walk him again, surely no one does that?

Oh I see. You said you woke up to a poo so thought that he would have done it in the early hours?

Not sure if this is at all helpful but my mother's 15 year old dog used to poo in the house due to dementia, but is otherwise totally healthy. My mum used to be up in the night with him 4 or 5 times; he was weeing on the bed, on the floor, everywhere. Had several thorough veterinary overhauls and all his systems were working just fine, he was just old and confused. It was getting very distressing for everyone & as a last resort they tried doggie nappies, which have been a revelation. He doesn't mind wearing them at all and now happily goes about his life without messing everywhere. He looks a tiny bit silly but it's improved everyone's quality of life.

Our old dog did this too. He had degenerative myelopathy, which gradually causes loss of function, starting at the back end and moving forwards. So loss of bowel function is part of the progression of the illness. You said that your dog was having difficulty with his hind legs, so it may be something to ask your vet about. Ours had it alongside arthritis.