Crossword Genius

Animal disease causes amazement (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

staggers

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'causes amazement' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'animal disease' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'animal' could be 'stag' (stag is a kind of animal) and 'stag' is found within the answer.
The remaining letters 'gers' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for staggers that I've seen before include "Disease affecting farmyard animals" , "is astonishing" , "Form of vertigo" , "Reels and nearly falls" , "astounds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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