Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 46,593	$ 44,867
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	1,279	(8,447)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($32) in 2014 and $42 in 2013	(54)	72
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized (loss) gain, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($123) in 2014 and $1,699 in 2013	(253)	4,118
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax (expense) benefit of ($47) in 2014 and $8 in 2013	(149)	(10)
Unrealized (loss) gain on derivative instruments	(402)	4,108
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	823	(4,267)
Comprehensive income	47,416	40,600
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	8	7
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 47,408	$ 40,593