As your dog ages, he may display signs of dementia. This cognitive dysfunction may cause your dog to act confused, anxious and irritable. He may not want to play, lick items excessively and stop grooming like he used to. Your dog may become incontinent, lose his appetite and have difficulties sleeping. He may have difficulty with seeing and hearing too. Some of these symptoms are found in a number of other medical conditions. However, blood, urine and stool tests plus a number of other diagnostic tools can rule out these conditions and provide a clear diagnosis. There is no cure for dementia but you can support your dog with good nutrition, ample exercise and lots of patience and love. Your vet may prescribe a special diet to help with cognitive function. Never punish your dog for lapses in behavior that are typical are dementia. For more information, talk to your veterinarian Plano, TX.