Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 44,867	$ 40,734
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(8,447)	5,628
Unrealized gain on investments, net of tax expense of $42 in 2013 and $65 in 2012	72	111
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,699 in 2013 and ($434) in 2012	4,118	(906)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax benefit (expense) of $8 in 2013 and ($341) in 2012	(10)	(795)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	4,108	(1,701)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(4,267)	4,038
Comprehensive income	40,600	44,772
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	7	(9)
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 40,593	$ 44,781