About
Dr. John Madigan, DVM, MS, DACVIM, DACAW
John Madigan, DVM, is a Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and a global pioneer in equine neonatal health. His career has been defined by a simple but profound pursuit: listening to the hidden biological signals of animals to solve life-threatening mysteries.
COMING SOON
Awakening at Birth
John’s upcoming book, Awakening at Birth, explores his discovery of the "Birth Code"—the universal biological signals that trigger the transition from fetal unconsciousness to newborn awareness. From the foaling stalls of California to the NICUs of Stanford Medical School, this work reveals how a "horse doctor" uncovered a biological switch that could change how we understand the first moments of life for all mammals.
The "Birth Code" and the Madigan Squeeze
John is best known as the inventor of the Madigan Squeeze. By studying why some foals are born "detached" from their mothers—a condition known as Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome—he identified a shared neurosteroid pathway that governs the onset of consciousness. His non-invasive rope-squeeze technique "resets" the newborn brain, effectively "waking up" foals, calves, and lambs across the globe.
Innovation Born from Necessity
Driven by the need to protect large animals in crisis, John spearheaded the development of industry-standard rescue equipment:
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The UC Davis Anderson Sling: A vital tool for supporting injured horses during rehabilitation.
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The Large Animal Lift & Loops Rescue System: Essential resources for emergency extraction during disasters.
A Legacy of One Health
As the author of the Manual of Equine Neonatal Medicine and director of the first neonatal ICU for foals at UC Davis, John’s work bridges the gap between veterinary science and human medicine. His ongoing research investigates how the biological triggers found in the barn can improve outcomes for human infants and mothers.