The Journey On Podcast: Episode with Dr. John Madigan

Release Date: January 24, 2025
Host: Warwick Schiller
Guest: Dr. John Madigan

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Journey On Podcast, host Warwick Schiller engages in an in-depth conversation with Dr. John Madigan, a distinguished veterinarian and professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis. The discussion delves into Dr. Madigan's groundbreaking work in equine neonatal medicine, specifically his development of the "Madigan Squeeze" technique, which revolutionizes the treatment of maladjusted or "dummy" foals.

Dr. John Madigan’s Background and Journey

Warwick Schiller introduces Dr. Madigan by highlighting his unique perspective that extends beyond traditional horse training, emphasizing his focus on consciousness and neurodevelopment in foals. Dr. Madigan recounts a serendipitous series of events that led him to his current role at UC Davis:

• Unexpected Career Shift: After moving from private practice to UC Davis following a colleague's untimely death in a plane crash, Dr. Madigan was thrust into a new field with limited prior experience. He states, “It’s a good thing sometimes to start knowing you don’t know anything. And you better figure out how to learn something because something’s coming up and you’re going to have to be sharing information.” (05:40)

• Building Expertise: Collaborating with human neonatologists like Dr. Boyd Getzman, Dr. Madigan developed key procedures that are now standard worldwide, such as the use of acetylcysteine for meconium impaction in foals. This foundational work led to the publication of his seminal book, Manual of Equine Neonatal Medicine, which became a crucial resource for veterinarians globally.

Discovery of the Madigan Squeeze

Dr. Madigan details the origins of the Madigan Squeeze technique, a non-invasive method to treat dummy foals:

• Identifying the Problem: Dummy foals exhibit abnormal behaviors post-birth, such as failing to nurse, lack of recognition of their mother, and aimless wandering. Traditionally, these conditions were attributed to birth hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and treated with hormonal injections, which were often ineffective.

• Innovative Approach: Frustrated by the persistent misdiagnosis of low oxygen levels, Dr. Madigan hypothesized that the issue stemmed from elevated neurosteroids like allopregnanolone, which keep the foal in a state of dormancy akin to in utero conditions. To test this, he applied a specialized rope technique to induce tonic immobility, mimicking the natural squeeze experienced during birth.

  "It's the signal. It creates a tonic immobility and it signals this receptor in the brain." – Dr. John Madigan (24:09)

• Successful Application: The first successful application involved using a rope to apply consistent pressure to the foal for 20 minutes, effectively "squeezing" it back into a wakeful state. This intervention dramatically improved the foal's ability to nurse and bond with its mother without the need for further medical intervention.

  "He just lays down... and he stands up and nurses when the rope is loosened." – Dr. John Madigan (48:28)

Mechanism Behind Dummy Foals

Dr. Madigan explains that the traditional understanding of dummy foals as suffering from low oxygen is incomplete. Instead, he discovered that these foals have persistently elevated levels of certain neurosteroids that inhibit normal post-birth consciousness and motor functions.

• Neurosteroid Influence: Elevated levels of allopregnanolone and other neurosteroids interfere with the GABA receptors in the brain, preventing the foal from transitioning to full consciousness. This state is similar to anesthesia, where the brain remains in a suppressed state despite improved oxygen levels.

  "80% of the foals that we treat for the dummy foal... recover and they have no neurologic deficits." – Dr. John Madigan (33:02)

• Scientific Validation: Through mass spectrometry and international studies, Dr. Madigan confirmed that dummy foals possess significantly higher concentrations of these neurosteroids compared to their healthy counterparts. This finding shifted the treatment focus from merely managing symptoms to addressing the underlying neurochemical imbalance.

Applications and Global Impact

The Madigan Squeeze has garnered worldwide recognition and adoption, transforming equine neonatal care:

• Global Adoption: Vets globally have integrated the squeeze technique into their practices, significantly reducing the mortality rate of dummy foals. Dr. Madigan shares numerous success stories, including rescues in the Philippines and Australia, showcasing the method's universal applicability.

  "If you have a rope and you have an Internet connection, you can do more good than a whole vet clinic full of therapies." – Dr. John Madigan (92:30)

• Educational Outreach: Leveraging platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and online libraries, Dr. Madigan ensures that horse owners worldwide can access detailed instructions and witness the technique's effectiveness through shared videos and tutorials.

  "If you just put in Madigan squeeze and UC Davis, it'll come up." – Dr. John Madigan (110:20)

Connections to Human Neurodevelopment and Autism

Intriguingly, Dr. Madigan draws parallels between his work with foals and human neurodevelopment, suggesting potential implications for conditions like autism:

• Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC): He references KMC practices, which involve skin-to-skin contact and swaddling in human infants, mirroring the squeeze technique's principles. Studies indicate that KMC improves survival rates and neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature infants.

  "They can measure out to age 18 or 20... They're a different person if you've had this normal procedure performed." – Dr. John Madigan (72:36)

• Autism Research: Preliminary studies show elevated neurosteroids in children with autism, analogous to the chemical profiles of dummy foals. Dr. Madigan collaborates with institutions like Stanford to explore these connections, proposing that neurosteroid regulation plays a critical role in developmental disorders.

  "There's some components here, without a doubt, that involve neurosteroids." – Dr. John Madigan (74:50)

Personal Insights and Purpose

Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Madigan shares his personal journey, illustrating resilience and purpose-driven dedication:

• Academic Struggles: Despite early academic challenges, including low grades and a rocky start in vet school, Dr. Madigan's perseverance and passion for horses propelled him to esteemed positions and significant scientific contributions.

  "Persisting in activities... good things can happen." – Dr. John Madigan (108:49)

• Educational Initiatives: Currently, Dr. Madigan invests time in homeschooling programs tailored for children with ADHD, drawing from his experiences to create environments that foster movement and learning, much like the natural settings beneficial for horses.

  "We created a little homeschool and there's six or eight kids that come here every day and go in the barn." – Dr. John Madigan (100:05)

• Purpose-Driven Work: Reflecting on his life's work, Dr. Madigan emphasizes his commitment to making meaningful discoveries that benefit both animals and humans, driven by a fundamental desire to understand and improve neurodevelopmental processes.

  "My purpose was to make some discoveries that change things for animals... and people." – Dr. John Madigan (90:04)

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates Dr. John Madigan's remarkable journey from a struggling student to a pioneering veterinary scientist. His innovative Madigan Squeeze technique not only saves the lives of countless foals but also bridges gaps in understanding between animal and human neurodevelopment. Dr. Madigan's dedication, combined with his willingness to challenge established paradigms, underscores the profound impact of curiosity and perseverance. Listeners are left inspired by his commitment to improving lives through science and compassion.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's the signal. It creates a tonic immobility and it signals this receptor in the brain.”
  — Dr. John Madigan (24:09)

• “He just lays down... and he stands up and nurses when the rope is loosened.”
  — Dr. John Madigan (48:28)

• “If you have a rope and you have an Internet connection, you can do more good than a whole vet clinic full of therapies.”
  — Dr. John Madigan (92:30)

• “My purpose was to make some discoveries that change things for animals... and people.”
  — Dr. John Madigan (90:04)

Connect with Dr. John Madigan:

For more information on the Madigan Squeeze technique and Dr. Madigan's research, visit the Manual of Equine Neonatal Medicine website or search for "Madigan squeeze UC Davis" on YouTube and other social media platforms.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting Dr. Madigan's innovative contributions, their broader implications, and his personal journey, making it accessible and informative for those who haven't listened to the podcast.