Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]
Carrying value of notes receivable	$ 5.1
Restricted cash	0.7	1.6
Revenue recognition, multiple-deliverable arrangements, years		one to six years
Advertising costs	1.5	1.1	1.2
Foreign currency transaction losses	$ (0.1)	$ (0.2)	$ (0.1)
Percentage of Revenue From Henry Schein [Member]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]
Percentage of IDEXX consolidated total	9.00%	9.00%	9.00%
Percentage of Accounts Receivable From Henry Schein [Member]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]
Percentage of IDEXX consolidated total	7.00%	7.00%
Percentage of Revenue From MWI Veterinary Supply [Member]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]
Percentage of IDEXX consolidated total	8.00%	8.00%	7.00%
Percentage of Accounts Receivable From MWI Veterinary Supply [Member]
Prepaid Expense and Other Assets [Abstract]
Percentage of IDEXX consolidated total	11.00%	9.00%

Amounts due from parties associated with the reporting entity as evidenced by a written promise to pay, due after 1 year (or 1 business cycle).

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The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalent items which are restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against short-term borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits; however, time deposits and short-term certificates of deposit are not generally included in legally restricted deposits. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. For a classified balance sheet represents the current portion only (the noncurrent portion has a separate concept); there is a separate and distinct element for unclassified presentations.

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- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue recognition for multiple-deliverable arrangements including, at a minimum (as applicable): (1) the nature of such arrangements, (2) the significant deliverables within the arrangements, (3) the general timing of delivery or performance of service for the deliverables within the arrangements, (4) performance-, cancellation-, termination- or refund-type provisions, (5) a discussion of the significant factors, inputs, assumptions, and methods used to determine selling price (whether vendor-specific objective evidence, third-party evidence, or estimated selling price) for the significant deliverables, (6) whether the significant deliverables in the arrangements qualify as separate units of accounting and the reasons that they do not qualify as separate units of accounting, if applicable, and (7) the general timing of revenue recognition for significant units of accounting. This element is applicable to all multiple-deliverable arrangements, including software arrangements (for example, software products, upgrades or enhancements, postcontract customer support, or services).

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