Help Leo Beat Megaesophagus

Hello everyone,

My name is Logan and I am Leo's mom. Let me give you a little backstory on how Leo became a part of my life.

In April 2022, I was a law enforcement officer in North Carolina and would always listen out for our animal control when she seized animals from owners. On the day I met Leo, our animal protective services officer seized him from a guy who kept him in a crate in the garage and didn’t pay him any mind for 4 months as a puppy. The “owner” stated it appeared Leo had a “sloped-back” and thought something was wrong with him, so he decided to completely neglect him.

Once seized by APS, I went to meet her and Leo. I saw that he was extremely underweight and had some physical limitations. Our APS officer stated they would have to euthanize him based on what they were seeing firsthand. I told her I would take him home. So, Leo came home with me that day and I’ve done everything I can for him ever since. It was a rocky start, but he started to walk better and socialize with my other dog.

Fast forward to two years ago, 2023. I moved to Louisville, Colorado. Soon after moving, I noticed Leo kept regurgitating his food and not keeping water down. I took him to Rock Creek Veterinary Hospital in Broomfield, CO. There I met an amazing veterinarian, Dr. Patrick Kalenzi. I started describing what Leo was going through and after describing the “throw up” and un-chewed food, Dr. Kalenzi mentioned the condition megaesophagus and the regurgitation that comes with it. Leo then received an x-ray and there was a spot that was a high chance of being that “pocket” in his esophagus. Dr. Kalenzi then mentioned a few things, including surgery that is extremely costly, but started Leo on medication to help constrict his esophagus during eating sessions.

Then in June 2024, Leo’s health took a turn. The medication was not helping and holding him upright for the required time was not efficient enough to keep his food down. Leo had another vet visit and was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia, common with dogs with megaesophagus. Luckily, I took him in in time to where after a full day of IV treatment and medication, Leo made it through. Soon after this visit, some co-workers and I built him a Bailey Chair. This chair helped tremendously and paired with the medication, Leo was doing better.

Now as of July 2025, Leo is starting to have other complications. I fear that, as Dr. Kalenzi stated, his condition of megaesophagus is worsening with age. Although not regurgitating as often, Leo is not keeping weight on and not gaining any either. I took him to the vet again where he got some blood work done and it turns out the levels of something in his liver were high and the vet tech stated it could be a tumor, prayers it’s not. Apologies for not knowing the specifics, these results have been in recent and Leo is now on medication for a month to see if those levels go down, but he still has more tests to go through.

To wrap it up, I am trying to get Leo the medical attention that he needs. I am creating this GoFundMe page in an attempt to get the financial support I would need to get him officially diagnosed and treated. I was researching facilities that may have trials for megaesophagus and Colorado State University Veterinary Hospital was an option. I reached out, and unfortunately, they don't have active trials for it, but do have veterinarians that have had caseloads involving the condition. I was told by an employee that they would start with an initial examination and then go from there on Leo's options.

I do not have the most financially supportive career, and I know to get further treatment for Leo, it is going to be costly. I feel that he is at the point where he is going to require numerous tests and medications to avoid the option of surgery, which my veterinarian gave me an estimated cost of $5,000 minimum. At this time, the GoFundMe goal is lower than the expected costs just so I can raise enough to get him assessed further and to confirm or deny whether or not there are other medication options to get him back on track.

Thank you for reading his story.

My sweet boy is only three years old and I am not ready to lose him, so that is why I am shooting my shot with this page. Also, Leo has a TikTok, so if you are interested in his story (more than what I’ve rambled), and if you have trust issues that this is legitimate, he can be found at @leonardthegsd.

Please consider helping Leo.