Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 4

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=8077374&loc=d3e2420-110228

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a),(d))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Disclosure about revenues from external customers (1) attributed to the entity's country of domicile and (2) attributed to all foreign countries in total from which the entity derives revenues.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 280

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 41

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6534315&loc=d3e9038-108599

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EntityWideDisclosureOnGeographicAreasDescriptionOfRevenueFromExternalCustomers
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment assets, excluding oil and gas property and timber property.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 360

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391110&loc=d3e2941-110230

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 205

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6360339&loc=d3e1361-107760

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue, fees and commissions earned from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, for example, but not limited to, pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Related Parties

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606610-122999

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 07

-Paragraph b

-Subparagraph 1

-Article 6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Operating income before significant charges

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	woof_OperatingIncomeBeforeSignificantCharges
Namespace Prefix:	woof_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_AllOtherSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=woof_AnimalHospitalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=woof_LaboratoryMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_CA
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_US
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Lines of Business (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									$ 1,918,483us-gaap_Revenues	$ 1,803,369us-gaap_Revenues	$ 1,699,642us-gaap_Revenues
Intercompany revenue									0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Total revenue	479,927us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	499,577us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	489,472us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	449,507us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	435,453us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	464,055us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	465,255us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	438,606us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	1,918,483us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	1,803,369us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet	1,699,642us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Direct costs									1,473,842us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	1,393,989us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold	1,324,668us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Gross profit	99,018us-gaap_GrossProfit	123,757us-gaap_GrossProfit	120,415us-gaap_GrossProfit	101,451us-gaap_GrossProfit	87,486us-gaap_GrossProfit	110,677us-gaap_GrossProfit	114,294us-gaap_GrossProfit	96,923us-gaap_GrossProfit	444,641us-gaap_GrossProfit	409,380us-gaap_GrossProfit	374,974us-gaap_GrossProfit
Selling, general and administrative expense									171,506	157,911	157,155
Operating income (loss) before charges									273,135	251,469	217,819
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets		27,000us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges							27,019us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	0us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges	123,573us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									(1,152)us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	2,455us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets	1,310us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets
Operating income (loss)	52,654us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	53,476us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	79,906us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	61,232us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	45,923us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	72,039us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	75,701us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	55,351us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	247,268us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	249,014us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	92,936us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Depreciation and amortization									79,427	77,409	76,227
Capital expenditures									72,948	73,270	76,807
Assets	2,332,020us-gaap_Assets				2,228,209us-gaap_Assets				2,332,020us-gaap_Assets	2,228,209us-gaap_Assets	2,081,939us-gaap_Assets
Disclosure on Geographic Areas, Description of Revenue from External Customers									*Revenues are determined based on the location of the customer.
Animal Hospital [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									1,514,878	1,417,908	1,331,314
Intercompany revenue									0	0	0
Total revenue									1,514,878	1,417,908	1,331,314
Direct costs									1,284,077	1,208,781	1,142,203
Gross profit									230,801	209,127	189,111
Selling, general and administrative expense									39,022	34,133	30,826
Operating income (loss) before charges									191,779	174,994	158,285
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets									0		1,216
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									1,473	2,853	713
Operating income (loss)									190,306	172,141	156,356
Depreciation and amortization									61,031	57,748	54,835
Capital expenditures									55,814	54,116	55,651
Assets	2,021,725				1,844,235				2,021,725	1,844,235	1,638,246
Laboratory [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									303,798	290,583	275,406
Intercompany revenue									56,598	54,248	52,395
Total revenue									360,396	344,831	327,801
Direct costs									184,588	180,952	176,040
Gross profit									175,808	163,879	151,761
Selling, general and administrative expense									33,550	31,915	29,660
Operating income (loss) before charges									142,258	131,964	122,101
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets									0		0
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									(88)	(77)	(14)
Operating income (loss)									142,346	132,041	122,115
Depreciation and amortization									10,444	10,251	10,141
Capital expenditures									8,306	11,148	8,334
Assets	258,550				248,282				258,550	248,282	245,242
Other Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									96,053	91,686	90,616
Intercompany revenue									19,732	21,054	22,344
Total revenue									115,785	112,740	112,960
Direct costs									77,161	74,139	74,253
Gross profit									38,624	38,601	38,707
Selling, general and administrative expense									33,456	32,941	37,879
Operating income (loss) before charges									5,168	5,660	828
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets									27,019		122,357
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									(2,201)	7	717
Operating income (loss)									(19,650)	5,653	(122,246)
Depreciation and amortization									6,940	7,909	9,582
Capital expenditures									4,912	4,288	5,921
Assets	89,596				96,245				89,596	96,245	98,159
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									0	0	0
Intercompany revenue									0	0	0
Total revenue									0	0	0
Direct costs									0	0	0
Gross profit									0	0	0
Selling, general and administrative expense									65,478	58,922	58,790
Operating income (loss) before charges									(65,478)	(58,922)	(58,790)
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets									0		0
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									(336)	(328)	(106)
Operating income (loss)									(65,142)	(58,594)	(58,684)
Depreciation and amortization									2,943	3,284	3,198
Capital expenditures									6,649	5,908	9,695
Assets	270,414				77,264				270,414	77,264	127,963
Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									3,754	3,192	2,306
Intercompany revenue									(76,330)	(75,302)	(74,739)
Total revenue									(72,576)	(72,110)	(72,433)
Direct costs									(71,984)	(69,883)	(67,828)
Gross profit									(592)	(2,227)	(4,605)
Selling, general and administrative expense									0	0	0
Operating income (loss) before charges									(592)	(2,227)	(4,605)
Impairment of goodwill and other long-lived assets									0		0
Net loss (gain) on sale or disposal of assets									0	0	0
Operating income (loss)									(592)	(2,227)	(4,605)
Depreciation and amortization									(1,931)	(1,783)	(1,529)
Capital expenditures									(2,733)	(2,190)	(2,794)
Assets	(308,265)				(37,817)				(308,265)	(37,817)	(27,671)
United States
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									1,760,946	1,671,170	1,589,588
Canada
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
External revenue									$ 157,537	$ 132,199	$ 110,054