CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Preferred Stock	Preferred Stock Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Traditional Common Stock	Traditional Common Stock Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Additional Paid-in Capital Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance	Accumulated Deficit	Accumulated Deficit Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Deficit Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjusted Balance
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019				0	0	7,882	7,882
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 154,364	$ (18)	$ 154,346	$ 0	$ 0	$ 79	$ 79	$ 290,216		$ 290,216	$ 513	$ 513	$ (136,444)	$ (18)	$ (136,462)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Heska Corporation	(11,645)												(11,645)
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						24
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	904					$ 0		904
Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs (in shares)					122
Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs	121,785				$ 1			121,784
Conversion of convertible securities (in shares)				122		1,509
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	0			$ (1)		$ 15		(14)
Stock-based compensation	2,797							2,797
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,860										1,860
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020				0		9,415
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	270,047			$ 0		$ 94		415,687			2,373		(148,107)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020				122		7,843
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2020	270,638			$ 1		$ 78		412,152			157		(141,750)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Heska Corporation	(6,357)												(6,357)
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						63
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	1,106					$ 1		1,105
Conversion of convertible securities (in shares)				122		1,509
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	0			$ (1)		$ 15		(14)
Stock-based compensation	2,444							2,444
Other comprehensive income (loss)	2,216										2,216
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020				0		9,415
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2020	270,047			$ 0		$ 94		415,687			2,373		(148,107)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020				0	0	9,476	9,476
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	287,053	$ (26,469)	$ 260,584	$ 0	$ 0	$ 95	$ 95	423,650	$ (29,834)	$ 393,816	14,169	$ 14,169	(150,861)	$ 3,365	$ (147,496)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Heska Corporation	1,304												1,304
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						229
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	1,766					$ 2		1,764
Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs (in shares)						941
Issuance of preferred stock, net of issuance costs	164,186					$ 9		164,177
Stock-based compensation	9,457							9,457
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,531)										(3,531)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021				0		10,646
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	433,766			$ 0		$ 106		569,214			10,638		(146,192)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021				0		10,418
Beginning balance at Mar. 31, 2021	425,273			$ 0		$ 104		562,008			8,786		(145,625)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net loss attributable to Heska Corporation	(567)												(567)
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes (in shares)						228
Issuance of common stock, net of shares withheld for employee taxes	1,588					$ 2		1,586
Stock-based compensation	5,620							5,620
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,852										1,852
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2021				0		10,646
Ending balance at Jun. 30, 2021	$ 433,766			$ 0		$ 106		$ 569,214			$ 10,638		$ (146,192)