Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 153,174	$ 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	60,770	55,912
Inventory	51,929	51,456
Prepaid expenses and other	25,115	25,086
Deferred income taxes	26,130	22,579
Prepaid income taxes	1,512	20,061
Total current assets	318,630	243,529
Property and equipment, net	445,392	403,444
Goodwill	1,320,952	1,291,231
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	90,139	94,823
Notes receivable, net	3,474	6,080
Deferred financing costs, net	3,295	4,232
Other	53,453	48,241
Total assets	2,235,335	2,091,580
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	51,232	39,002
Accounts payable	37,797	39,416
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	62,323	49,893
Other accrued liabilities	63,814	57,131
Total current liabilities	215,166	185,442
Long-term debt, less current portion	581,145	591,641
Deferred income taxes	82,568	75,846
Other liabilities	35,947	37,267
Total liabilities	914,826	890,196
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	11,031	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	89	88
Additional paid-in capital	398,099	390,359
Retained earnings	904,003	791,209
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,861)	1,847
Total VCA Antech, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,300,330	1,183,503
Noncontrolling interests	9,148	10,890
Total equity	1,309,478	1,194,393
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,235,335	$ 2,091,580