The term "mad staggers" refers to a neurological disease commonly found in ruminants, particularly cattle and sheep. There are several synonyms for this condition, including "staggers," "red-water staggers," "grazing sickness," and "polioencephalomalacia" (PEM). Staggers is a term used to describe the unsteady gait associated with the disease. Red-water staggers is used because the urine of infected animals may appear red due to the presence of hemoglobin. Grazing sickness is used because the disease is more commonly seen in animals that graze on lush pastures. Finally, PEM is a medical term that describes the disease process involving destruction of brain cells due to a deficiency of thiamine, which can cause neurological symptoms such as seizures and lethargy.