Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 40,734	$ 36,606
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	5,628	8,141
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax of $65 in 2012 and $33 in 2011	111	55
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments:
Unrealized loss, net of tax of $434 in 2012 and $1,429 in 2011	(906)	(3,183)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (gains) losses included in net income, net of tax of $341 in 2012 and $525 in 2011	(795)	1,107
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments	(1,701)	(2,076)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	4,038	6,120
Comprehensive income	44,772	42,726
Less: comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest	(9)	(6)
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 44,781	$ 42,732