Successful treatment of aspiration pneumonia in a juvenile raccoon (Procyon lotor)

A healthy orphaned raccoon (Procyon lotor) admitted to the PAWS Wildlife Center in July 2023 suffered from aspiration pneumonia while in rehabilitative care. The patient experienced depressed mentation and severe respiratory distress immediately following aspiration. Resolution of symptoms consistent with pneumonia occurred within 2 weeks of the date of aspiration through conservative management. This case report will discuss successful management of severe aspiration pneumonia following administration of formula via gavage feeding in a juvenile raccoon.