Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

15. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Quarterly Results

The following table sets forth selected unaudited quarterly results for the eight quarters commencing January 1, 2010 and ending December 31, 2011 (in thousands):

	2011 Quarter Ended									2010 Quarter Ended
	Dec. 31(1)			Sep. 30(2)		Jun. 30		Mar. 31		Dec. 31		Sep. 30(3)		Jun. 30(4)		Mar. 31
Revenue	$	368,998		$	385,135	$	376,105	$	355,123	$	338,112	$	358,703	$	353,919	$	330,734
Gross profit	$	71,710		$	90,137	$	96,832	$	79,778	$	69,586	$	85,299	$	93,484	$	82,795
Operating income	$	14,197		$	57,841	$	70,109	$	53,506	$	40,124	$	58,042	$	52,453	$	56,630
Net income	$	(2,060	)	$	31,359	$	40,065	$	30,496	$	22,122	$	28,587	$	30,517	$	32,932
Net income attributable to VCA Antech, Inc	$	(3,215	)	$	30,169	$	39,612	$	28,839	$	21,473	$	27,431	$	29,404	$	31,935
Basic earnings per common share	$	(0.04	)	$	0.35	$	0.46	$	0.33	$	0.25	$	0.32	$	0.34	$	0.37
Diluted earnings per common share	$	(0.04	)	$	0.35	$	0.45	$	0.33	$	0.25	$	0.32	$	0.34	$	0.37

(1) Included in fourth quarter operating income is a $21.3 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge, or $0.25 per diluted share, related to our medical technology business.

(2) Included in third quarter net income is $2.8 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to costs incurred in conjunction with the refinance of our senior credit facility, see Note 6, Long-Term Obligations.

(3) Included in third quarter net income is $2.6 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, related to costs incurred in conjunction with the refinance of our senior credit facility, see Note 6, Long-Term Obligations. The third quarter net income also included tax expense of $3.5 million, or $0.04 per diluted share related to settlement of taxes on 2004 through 2007 taxable income.

(4) Included in second quarter operating income is $14.5 million in consulting and SERP expenses to be paid in accordance with consulting and SERP agreements entered into on June 30, 2010.

Although not readily detectable because of the impact of acquisitions, our operations are subject to seasonal fluctuation. In particular, our Animal Hospital and Laboratory revenue historically has been greater in the second and third quarters than in the first and fourth quarters.

The demand for our veterinary services is significantly higher during warmer months because pets spend a greater amount of time outdoors, where they are more likely to be injured and are more susceptible to disease and parasites. In addition, use of veterinary services may be affected by levels of infestation of fleas, heartworms and ticks, and the number of daylight hours. A substantial portion of our costs for our veterinary services are fixed and do not vary with the level of demand. Consequently, our operating income and operating margins generally have been higher for the second and third quarters than that experienced in the first and fourth quarters.