Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 45,692	$ 42,873	$ 144,557	$ 134,927
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	9,418	9,221	(2,115)	4,548
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax expense of $51 and $84 in 2013 and $33 and $66 in 2012	86	56	142	111
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($1,512) and $1,278 in 2013 and ($1,294) and ($1,235) in 2012	(3,601)	(2,684)	3,066	(2,329)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax expense of $329 and $542 in 2013 and $395 and $1,434 in 2012	834	872	1,485	3,194
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	(4,435)	(3,556)	1,581	(5,523)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	5,069	5,721	(392)	(864)
Comprehensive income	50,761	48,594	144,165	134,063
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	4	20	15	14
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 50,757	$ 48,574	$ 144,150	$ 134,049