Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders' Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Deferred Stock Units [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total IDEXX Laboratories Stockholders Equity [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]	Total
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 9,633	$ 580,797	$ 4,301	$ 824,256	$ 10,341	$ (914,759)	$ 514,569	$ 10	$ 514,579
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2009	96,334
Comprehensive Income:
Net income				141,284			141,284	36	141,320
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					3,126		3,126		3,126
Comprehensive income							144,410	36	144,446
Repurchases of common stock, net						(145,888)	(145,888)		(145,888)
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, shares	1,634
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, value	164	48,004	(455)				47,713		47,713
Issuance of deferred stock units			362				362		362
Vesting of deferred stock units		(225)	225
Share-based compensation cost recognized		13,069					13,069		13,069
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2010	9,797	641,645	4,433	965,540	13,467	(1,060,647)	574,235	46	574,281
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2010	97,968
Comprehensive Income:
Net income				161,786			161,786	(32)	161,754
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					1,976		1,976		1,976
Comprehensive income							163,762	(32)	163,730
Repurchases of common stock, net						(259,729)	(259,729)		(259,729)
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, shares	1,261
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, value	126	45,747					45,873		45,873
Issuance of deferred stock units			91				91		91
Vesting of deferred stock units		(164)	164
Share-based compensation cost recognized		15,347					15,347		15,347
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2011	9,923	702,575	4,688	1,127,326	15,443	(1,320,376)	539,579	14	539,593
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2011	99,229								99,229,000
Comprehensive Income:
Net income				178,267			178,267	20	178,287
Other comprehensive income, net of tax					511		511		511
Comprehensive income							178,778	20	178,798
Repurchases of common stock, net						(136,808)	(136,808)		(136,808)
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, shares	931
Common stock issued under stock plans, including excess tax benefit, value	93	38,943	(365)				38,671		38,671
Issuance of deferred stock units			142				142		142
Vesting of deferred stock units		(165)	165
Share-based compensation cost recognized		15,861					15,861		15,861
Balance, value at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 10,016	$ 757,214	$ 4,630	$ 1,305,593	$ 15,954	$ (1,457,184)	$ 636,223	$ 34	$ 636,257
Balance, shares at Dec. 31, 2012	100,160								100,160,000