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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000874716-04-000085.txt : 20041221
<SEC-HEADER>0000874716-04-000085.hdr.sgml : 20041221
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041221144635
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000874716-04-000085
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041217
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041221
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041221

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			IDEXX LABORATORIES INC /DE
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000874716
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	IN VITRO & IN VIVO DIAGNOSTIC SUBSTANCES [2835]
		IRS NUMBER:				010393723
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE IDEXX DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTBROOK
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04092-2041
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2078560300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE IDEXX DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTBROOK
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04092-2041

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	IDEXX CORP / DE
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19600201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEADY CONAN R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001184151

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19271
		FILM NUMBER:		041216895

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE IDEXX DRIVE
		CITY:			WESTBROOK
		STATE:			ME
		ZIP:			04092
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
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<ownershipDocument>

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        <issuerName>IDEXX LABORATORIES INC /DE</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>IDXX</issuerTradingSymbol>
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            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
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            <rptOwnerZipCode>04092</rptOwnerZipCode>
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            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
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            <officerTitle>Vice President &amp; Secretary</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
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            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionTimeliness>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Non-Qualified Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-17</value>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.5</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-08-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>414</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <transactionDate>
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            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>2586</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>16.5</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <expirationDate>
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            </expirationDate>
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                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                    <value>2586</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Grant of option to buy shares of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Common Stock becomes exercisable as to 3,367 shares on 8/16/2000, 8/16/2001 and 8/16/2002, and 3,366 shares on 8/16/2003 and 8/16/2004.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant of option to buy shares of IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. Common Stock becomes exercisable as to 634 shares on 8/16/2000 and 8/16/2001, and 633 shares on 8/16/2002, 8/16/2003 and 8/16/2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Conan R. Deady</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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