Pneumonia in 5 week old 60g abandoned squirrel

[JordanDub]

Hi, I’ve been doing a lot of research and this forum has helped me tremendously.
I understand the dangers of overdosing and I would like a concrete answer to my specific situation.
3 days ago, I found an abandoned squirrel in my yard. There’s plenty of squirrels around here so I wanted to nurse him back to health and release him back to his family.
He was ice cold when I found him and very lethargic. He is now toasty warm with the help of heating pads and rice socks.
On the second day I noticed clicking when breathing. My research leads me to believe he is aspirating and may have pneumonia.
I am very careful when feeding and if he starts sneezing, I will hold him upside down to drain the fluids. He is getting better with the syringe each day and I’m having to “burp” him less often.
I finally was able to get a hold of amoxicillin 500 and would like to treat the pneumonia.
However, this morning during feeding, I’m noticing no aspiration when breathing.
Is it possible that the pneumonia was self cured? I have not read of this happening but don’t want to give antibiotics for no reason.
Could I have misdiagnosed the squirrel? His energy seems to be improving when feeding, but after he returns to his nest and sleeping until next feeding time.
This is my first rescue so please excuse my ignorance. I am in Southern California and the responses I’ve been getting from local vets and wildlife organizations have been discouraging to say the least. I am grateful to have found this online community.
Thank you!

[CritterMom]

One of the best signs that you are NOT dealing with aspiration pneumonia is a healthy appetite and being eager to eat. He is at the age where his only functions are eat/poop/pee/sleep/eat so falling immediately to sleep is absolutely normal. Many babies suck milk into their nostrils by sucking too hard and too fast but it never develops as pneumonia. This may be what happened with your guy.