20 cookies

my otherwise healthy boston ate a plate of 20 sugar cookies aprox. five hours ago.  her abdoman is tight and full.  she is showning no signs of distress other than mild discomfort.  what should I do/watch for.  she was diagnosed with cateracts (I am just sick about the diagnosis) and her vet (my friend) is very ill and I don't want to disturb her this evening.  We have no emergency vet services in our town and the closest emergency vet is 60 miles away  HELP!  please

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

The most common sequllae of eating a large amount of sugar cookies is a bad belly ache, and hopefully that it all that will happen to your dog.  Sometimes these belly aches can turn into something more serious such as pancreatitis or bloat, however.  Keep her calm, don't let her run around and allow her only small sips of water (no large drinks).  You can give her some Gas-X, Tums, Pepcid, or other over the counter antacid and GI formula at 1/2 human dose, as long as it is not a combination medication that contains Tylenol or other analgesic.

If vomiting or diarrhea does occur,  fasting her one day should help.  After the fast small amounts of boiled rice with a small amount of cottage cheese, or skinless chicken should help.  If the vomiting or diarrhea is very severe or lasts for more than 24 hours you may have to call your vet despite the illness, or make that 60 mile trip.