Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) [Abstract]

Unaudited quarterly results

	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.