My late wife insisted I take him to the emergency 24 hour vet clinic.  I said wait until Monday and take him to the regular guy....I lost.  So off I go in a freezing rain.....at the clinic I have to wake up the guy sleeping behind the counter who eventually takes old McTavish into the back room and comes out three minutes later.  " He's fine " the tool told me,  " That'll be $90.  " NINETY Bucks " I yelled,  " The Damned dog only cost $75 new " ( and that was in 1975. )  God knows what a $90 charge in '75 equals in todays inflated currency....probably around $250 +.  Well, not feeling too happy about the whole affair, I inquired what  exactly it was the crook did to old Mac that took three minutes and was so Damned expensive.  " I degassed him "  the pirate told me....." YOU DID What  !  Please describe the procedure," I was almost screaming.  He sheepishly told me he rammed his index finger up old Mac's arse and relieved the pressure.  Well that did it.  I told the kid that this stubborn old relic was my wifes dog and I didn't much care for him.  I said the dog wasn't worth a #badword# and that was important as he was about to own him.  We finally had a meeting of the minds and I gave the bandit a $20 and hit the door.  I don't recommend such risky negotiating tactics with a pet you really love.....but it worked for me.