Please help!! Baby is dying from Aspiration pneumonia?

[Squirrel1]

Hi all, my baby has had it rough since the beginning. Long story short, she is fully blind, has neurological problems, & we suspect she’s had some seizures. I have been treating her for the seizures but it seems like she has developed aspiration pneumonia. She is no longer interested in eating and I haven’t been able to get her to eat for many, many hours. Every time I try to force feed her with a 0.3 syringe, she goes into respiratory distress. Her chest starts cracking and she starts gasping for air. It seems like she’s physically unable to eat/swallow and I don’t know how to navigate this. When she sleeps, there is no clicking or other noises. It’s only when she is awake and when I try to feed her. I believe this is why it went unnoticed as the noises only started occurring today and mainly when trying to feed her.

Since she’s no longer eating, and seems to be struggling to breathe, I’m starting to think it might be best to let her go. Vet prescribed her some baytril l today but it seems like she may be too far gone.

She’s such a strong girl and I just wanted her to have a fighting chance. But I’m at a point where i think euthanasia might be the most humane things to do. I fear she will starve to death or liquid will continue to accumulate in her lungs no matter how gently and slowly I feed her.


Any advice when it comes to feeding these aspirated babies? I just can’t figure how to get her to eat without going into severe respiratory distress. I’m using a tiny 0.3 syringe but even a drop from that is brutal for her. Same for her medication. I wanted to give her a fighting chance but at this point, I feel like exhausted all my options.
Please help!!

[CritterMom]

Please give her a chance - the Baytril your vet gave you is VERY effective against A/P.

As far as feeding - and hydration is concerned, try placing a drop on or under her tongue, not further into her mouth. It may filter down her throat more slowly and not cause her to choke and cough so bad. Keep her nice and warm, and bringing her into a steamy environment - a warm steam humidifier or turning the shower on in a small bathroom will help the breathing a little.

[Squirrel1]

Thank you for your response! I’ve been placing the formula right at the tip of her mouth drop by drop and it still causes her respiratory distress. Even a full syringe is only 0.3ml so she’s still essentially still not getting any food in her. I just have her the second dose of baytril but will try feeding her in a bit once she relaxes from taking the medication. It’s really hard to see her like this :(

[faycal06]

this website (https://www.petsforever.pro/)

[faycal06]

I'm so sorry you're going through this with your baby. It sounds like you're doing everything possible, but aspiration pneumonia can be incredibly difficult to manage, especially when even small amounts of food or medication cause respiratory distress. Since she’s no longer eating and struggling to breathe, it might be time to speak with your vet about humane options, including euthanasia, to prevent further suffering. Forcing food or meds may worsen her condition, and if her breathing is deteriorating, her body may be telling you she's at her limit. You've given her so much love and care, and sometimes the kindest thing we can do is to help them find peace. My heart goes out to you during this painful time.