Validation of viscosity measurements for canine hepatic bile.

This study developed the validated standards for a known viscosity method by obtaining consistent viscosity measurements with defined precision, reproducibility and sensitivity limits for canine hepatic bile. Size 75 Cannon-Manning semimicro viscometers yielded the most precise viscosity measurements. With the development of proper handling methods for fresh bile samples, a precision defined by a coefficient of variation of less than or equal to +/- 0.3% was obtained. To maintain viscometer constancy, the viscometers must be cleaned with chromic acid after each bile test and pass reproducibility tests using defined distilled water viscosity tests.