Characterisation of the pruritus responses and pruritic behaviours in an interleukin 31-induced canine model of pruritus.

In conclusion, intravenous IL-31 reproducibly induces itch responses in dogs. Future evaluations of the canine IL-31 pruritic model should assess total pruritic behaviours in seconds rather than using a biased 'YES/NO' behaviour per 1 min scoring system.