Revenue Recognition (Disaggregation of Revenue by Major Product and Service Categories) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021	Sep. 30, 2022	Sep. 30, 2021
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 841,661	$ 810,421	$ 2,538,756	$ 2,414,270
CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	764,990	732,495	2,310,261	2,170,857
Water segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	40,840	38,143	116,406	109,374
LPD segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	28,452	29,126	89,211	101,920
Other segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	7,379	10,657	22,878	32,119
CAG Diagnostics recurring revenue: | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	667,309	638,358	2,017,532	1,916,938
IDEXX VetLab consumables | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	262,820	252,714	796,072	755,158
Rapid assay products | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	80,542	76,974	242,542	230,472
Reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	295,590	282,301	894,795	851,757
CAG Diagnostics services and accessories | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	28,357	26,369	84,123	79,551
CAG Diagnostics capital - instruments | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	35,176	39,401	108,400	105,645
Veterinary software, services and diagnostic imaging systems | CAG segment revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 62,505	$ 54,736	$ 184,329	$ 148,274