Originally Posted by
Rock Monkey
Force feeding is a bad idea. There is a good chance this would cause aspiration, then for sure you will have a bad situation.
How is water supplied to your three squirrels? If they are fed from a water dish, the sides of the water dish should not be taller than the thickness of your finger and the water should just cover the bottom of the dish. This is very important to prevent them from submerging their nostrils when they are drinking which can lead to aspiration. You don't want their head to be dipping down at an angle when they drink, having it be more or less horizontal is much safer.
Here is a list of the symptoms of aspiration pneumonia. It sounds like he already exhibits some of the symptoms.
Symptoms:
1. Lethargic (inactive)
2. Difficult/labored breathing or rapid breathing or slow breathing and/or open mouth breathing
3. Rapid heartbeat
4. Fever or Chills
5. Pale, bluish to dark purple skin from a lack of oxygen (Look at lips and pads of feet)
6. Nasal discharge
7. Sweet or foul smelling breath
8. Wheezing, crackling, or clicking sounds when inhaling and/or exhaling
If it is deemed that he does have Aspiration Pneumonia a course of antibiotics at the proper weight adjusted dosage would be required.
Is it possible that he took another bad fall and hit his head? That might also explain some of these symptoms.
Is he withholding weight from any particular limb?
Eight hours isn't a long time to go without eating. Does he currently drink water of his own initiative?