Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 105,286	$ 68,435
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $15,212 and $14,978 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	71,096	55,912
Inventory	54,072	51,456
Prepaid expenses and other	24,918	25,086
Deferred income taxes	26,131	22,579
Prepaid income taxes	6,904	20,061
Total current assets	288,407	243,529
Property and equipment, net	406,849	403,444
Goodwill	1,294,189	1,291,231
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	90,395	94,823
Notes receivable, net	3,139	6,080
Deferred financing costs, net	3,918	4,232
Other	50,805	48,241
Total assets	2,137,702	2,091,580
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	42,939	39,002
Accounts payable	45,594	39,416
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	59,023	49,893
Other accrued liabilities	63,291	57,131
Total current liabilities	210,847	185,442
Long-term debt, less current portion	578,967	591,641
Deferred income taxes	82,606	75,846
Other liabilities	34,807	37,267
Total liabilities	907,227	890,196
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	7,043	6,991
Preferred stock, par value $0.001, 11,000 shares authorized, none outstanding	0	0
VCA Antech, Inc. stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.001, 175,000 shares authorized, 87,498 and 86,796 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	88	88
Additional paid-in capital	395,564	390,359
Retained earnings	821,694	791,209
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(897)	1,847
Total VCA Antech, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,216,449	1,183,503
Noncontrolling interests	6,983	10,890
Total equity	1,223,432	1,194,393
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,137,702	$ 2,091,580