Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 137,288	$ 125,029
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $17,359 and $17,702 at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	64,520	59,900
Inventory	54,227	55,067
Prepaid expenses and other	23,713	25,417
Deferred income taxes	29,075	28,907
Prepaid income taxes	454	15,434
Total current assets	309,277	309,754
Property and equipment, net	449,434	448,366
Goodwill	1,340,054	1,330,917
Other intangible assets, net	85,128	86,671
Notes receivable, net	3,225	3,454
Deferred financing costs, net	2,683	2,987
Other	60,130	55,632
Total assets	2,249,931	2,237,781
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	50,839	51,087
Accounts payable	36,240	36,962
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	63,535	57,337
Other accrued liabilities	54,830	58,762
Total current liabilities	205,444	204,148
Long-term debt, less current portion	555,592	568,558
Deferred income taxes	100,033	100,099
Other liabilities	35,953	36,758
Total liabilities	897,022	909,563
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	11,052	10,678
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, 88,288 and 88,508 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively	88	89
Additional paid-in capital	380,267	384,721
Retained earnings	962,763	928,720
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(11,283)	(6,190)
Total VCA Antech, Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,331,835	1,307,340
Noncontrolling interests	10,022	10,200
Total equity	1,341,857	1,317,540
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,249,931	$ 2,237,781