Oh I am so sorry to hear about poor Alfie....bless him. I am surprised that the vet let them both go back to the rescue if they were so sick. Couldn't they have put a chest drain on Alfie if he had such a lot of fluid on his chest? Some of that excess fluid might have been able to be removed with a syringe even to free up some lung space or otherwise oxygen given. They can do this without the use of anaesthetic. Poor little boy was trying to find the damp air which would have allowed him to breathe more easily. That is why he was lying outside on the cold ground. It is so very sad.
I hope dear little Meggie makes it through. If she has fluid and is unable to breathe she should be put in a bathroom or somewhere damp. The steam assists in decongesting their lungs. Look for rapid or shallow breathing.
This however is just another story of people giving up their cats for insufficient reason and letting someone else pick up the tab. Some animals are sensitive and vulnerable and do not take well to life in a shelter. I think the owner should be told about the fate of her cats...it might make her less willing to offload another one so easily in the future.
Sorry but it's all too sad and I'm fed up with people's irresponsibility towards their pets.
R.I.P. dear little Alfie....you will be among friends now.....run free in those sweet meadows darling and watch over your sister. She needs your help.
So sorry Corporal Smokey...you couldn't have done more.
Lots of love
Roz