We are sort of wondering about that with one at the moment, Senoufu. I don't remember what it's called but its some sort of tumour - apparently it doesn't spread to other organs but it gets bigger - from what I read she may have a couple of years maybe longer maybe shorter.

We got her to our local vets when we first noticed the small lump developing on her shoulder. They tried to remove it but it came back first time and she's now had surgery twice in the space of a couple of months. We've had her rather unsettled, dressed in a (now off) red jacket. We are optimistic that the second op has been more successful but also believe we can not inflict another stressful round of vet trips (that you can't even explain to them) on her. It's sort of fingers crossed and I think we leave it, if it returns again, until the lump is troubling her now.

Like most/all who've had a few pets over years I've seen a few go through accidents and illnesses. It's never easy.