CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 48,862	$ 54	$ 218,544	$ 296	$ (170,032)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012		5,372
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(939)				(939)
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other	323	$ 0	323
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other (in shares)		55
Recognition of stock based compensation	408		408
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	15		15
Stock issued for Heska Imaging	3,575	$ 4	3,571
Stock issued for Heska Imaging (in shares)		419
Stock issued for Heska Imaging Mark to Market	(3,405)		(3,405)
Accretion of non-controlling interest	(1,868)		(1,868)
Accrued distribution for Heska Imaging minority	(139)				(139)
Minimum pension liability adjustments	182			182
Unrealized gain on available for sale investments	30			30
Foreign currency translation adjustments	72			72
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	47,116	$ 58	217,588	580	(171,110)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013		5,846
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	1,599				1,599
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other	1,448	$ 5	1,443
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other (in shares)		496
Recognition of stock based compensation	1,653		1,653
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	228		228
Stock issued for Heska Imaging	3,405		3,405
Stock issued for Heska Imaging Mark to Market	(2,020)		(2,020)
Unrealized gain on available for sale investments	3			3
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(300)			(300)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	53,132	$ 63	222,297	283	(169,511)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		6,342
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	5,519				5,519
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other	1,258	$ 3	1,255
Issuance of common stock related to options, ESPP and other (in shares)		283
Recognition of stock based compensation	2,269		2,269
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	1,514		1,514
Accretion of non-controlling interest	(68)		(68)
Minimum pension liability adjustments	(129)			(129)
Unrealized gain on available for sale investments	44			44
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(11)			(11)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 63,528	$ 66	$ 227,267	$ 187	$ (163,992)
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		6,625