Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets [Abstract]

Goodwill

	Animal					Medical
	Hospital			Laboratory		Technology			Total
Balance as of December 31, 2010	$	965,999		$	96,818	$	29,663		$	1,092,480
Goodwill acquired		10,346			6		—			10,352
Other(1)		(1,862	)		22		(134	)		(1,974	)
Balance as of June 30, 2011	$	974,483		$	96,846	$	29,529		$	1,100,858

⁽¹⁾ Other includes acquisition-price adjustments which consist primarily of an adjustment related to deferred taxes, buy-outs and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Other Intangible Assets

	As of June 30, 2011							As of December 31, 2010
	Gross					Net		Gross					Net
	Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying		Carrying		Accumulated			Carrying
	Amount		Amortization			Amount		Amount		Amortization			Amount
Noncontractual customer relationships	$	48,319	$	(15,791	)	$	32,528	$	48,686	$	(14,188	)	$	34,498
Covenants not-to-compete		13,285		(7,961	)		5,324		14,459		(8,311	)		6,148
Favorable lease asset		5,486		(2,940	)		2,546		5,486		(2,672	)		2,814
Trademarks		3,716		(1,227	)		2,489		3,749		(986	)		2,763
Technology		2,189		(1,514	)		675		2,189		(1,447	)		742
Client lists		84		(21	)		63		35		(14	)		21
Total	$	73,079	$	(29,454	)	$	43,625	$	74,604	$	(27,618	)	$	46,986

Aggregate amortization expense

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
Aggregate amortization expense	$	2,604	$	2,187	$	5,259	$	4,341

Estimated amortization expense related to intangible assets

Remainder of 2011	$	5,322
2012		9,901
2013		7,669
2014		5,411
2015		3,560
Thereafter		11,762
Total	$	43,625