Condensed, Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Revenue	$ 464,055	$ 433,613	$ 1,367,916	$ 1,281,450
Direct costs	353,378	334,432	1,046,022	988,283
Gross profit	110,677	99,181	321,894	293,167
Selling, general and administrative expense	38,747	37,608	117,616	115,656
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(109)	387	1,187	1,022
Operating income	72,039	61,186	203,091	176,489
Interest expense, net	4,474	4,295	14,439	12,746
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	0	0	0	(5,719)
Other expense (income)	(86)	(284)	(113)	(639)
Income before provision for income taxes	67,651	57,175	188,765	170,101
Provision for income taxes	25,740	21,533	71,571	62,360
Net income	41,911	35,642	117,194	107,741
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,264)	(1,605)	(4,400)	(4,139)
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc.	40,647	34,037	112,794	103,602
Basic earnings per share	$ 0.46	$ 0.39	$ 1.27	$ 1.18
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.45	$ 0.38	$ 1.26	$ 1.17
Weighted-average shares outstanding for basic earnings per share	88,834	87,773	88,583	87,554
Weighted-average shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share	89,845	88,654	89,659	88,589
Animal Hospital [Member]
Revenue	368,868	342,840	1,074,688	1,001,247
Direct costs	308,029	288,588	908,537	852,059
Gross profit	60,839	54,252	166,151	149,188
Selling, general and administrative expense	8,678	7,745	25,723	22,797
Net (gain) loss on sale of assets	(110)	(77)	1,459	316
Operating income	$ 52,271	$ 46,584	$ 138,969	$ 126,075