Condensed, Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 72,716	$ 63,651
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for uncollectible accounts of $15,212 and $14,978 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	63,849	58,279
Inventory	52,697	48,661
Prepaid expenses and other	24,091	21,883
Deferred income taxes	26,854	26,310
Prepaid income taxes	6,087	18,373
Total current assets	246,294	237,157
Property and equipment, net	377,082	370,646
Goodwill	1,338,569	1,237,607
Other intangible assets, net	112,285	92,403
Notes receivable, net	6,090	6,202
Deferred financing costs, net	5,188	5,435
Other	44,083	45,918
Total assets	2,129,591	1,995,368
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	34,920	32,571
Accounts payable	40,136	37,797
Accrued payroll and related liabilities	55,829	42,658
Other accrued liabilities	54,402	43,968
Total current liabilities	185,287	156,994
Long-term debt, less current portion	621,898	586,282
Deferred income taxes	109,361	101,229
Other liabilities	34,800	25,947
Total liabilities	951,346	870,452
Commitments and contingencies
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	6,950	6,964
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, 87,498 and 86,796 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively	87	87
Additional paid-in capital	378,609	361,715
Retained earnings	780,903	745,658
Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,482	418
Total VCA Antech, Inc. stockholders' equity	1,161,081	1,107,878
Noncontrolling interests	10,214	10,074
Total equity	1,171,295	1,117,952
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,129,591	$ 1,995,368