Calculation of Earnings per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Calculation of Earnings per Share [Abstract]

Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share

	Three Months  Ended September 30,				Nine Months  Ended September 30,
	2011		2010		2011		2010
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	$	30,169	$	27,431	$	98,620	$	88,770
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic		86,697		86,086		86,531		85,985
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Stock options		445		632		593		812
Nonvested shares		111		246		169		201
Diluted		87,253		86,964		87,293		86,998
Basic earnings per share	$	0.35	$	0.32	$	1.14	$	1.03
Diluted earnings per share	$	0.35	$	0.32	$	1.13	$	1.02