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.
Awakening at Birth
Dr. Madigan's book, Awakening at Birth, explores his discovery of a syndrome not previously described in veterinary or human medicine- a failure to fully transition to consciousness at birth. From the foaling stalls of California to the NICUs of Stanford Medical School, this work reveals the medical detective that uncovered a biological switch at birth that could change our understanding of the first moments of life in all mammals including us.
The Madigan Squeeze
Dr Madigan is best known as the inventor of the Madigan Squeeze. By studying why some foals are born "detached" from their mothers, not nursing, wandering—a condition known as Neonatal Maladjustment Syndrome—he identified a brain hormone - neurosteroid - pathway that governs the onset of consciousness as the cause. His non-invasive rope-squeeze technique, which mimics the signaling of birth-canal pressures during delivery, "resets" the newborn brain, effectively "waking up" foals, calves, and lambs across the globe.
Other Innovation Born from Necessity
Driven by the need to protect large animals in disasters and emergencies, Dr. Madigan spearheaded the development of veterinary emergency response teams and industry-standard rescue equipment:
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The UC Davis Anderson Sling: A vital tool for supporting injured horses during rehabilitation and used in emergency helicopter rescue.
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The Large Animal Lift & Loops Rescue System: Essential resources for emergency extraction of trapped animals during emergencies or disasters.
A Legacy of One Health
As the author of the Manual of Equine Neonatal Medicine and director of the first neonatal intensive care unit for foals at UC Davis, his work bridges the gap between veterinary science and human medicine. His ongoing research with the Equine and Comparative Neurology Research Group at UC Davis investigates how the biological triggers discovered in veterinary medicine can improve outcomes for human infants and mothers. More about Dr. Madigan here: https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/dr-john-madigan-honored-uc-davis-caaa-distinguished-achievement-award