Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 52,163	$ 45,692	$ 156,000	$ 144,557
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(19,003)	9,418	(15,524)	(2,115)
Unrealized (loss) gain on investments, net of tax (benefit) expense of ($23) and ($19) in 2014 and $51 and $84 in 2013	(37)	86	(32)	142
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain (loss), net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,809 and $1,796 in 2014 and ($1,512) and $1,278 in 2013	6,204	(3,601)	4,027	3,066
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax expense (benefit) of $67 and ($24) in 2014 and $329 and $542 in 2013	(205)	(834)	(103)	(1,485)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	5,999	(4,435)	3,924	1,581
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	(13,041)	5,069	(11,632)	(392)
Comprehensive income	39,122	50,761	144,368	144,165
Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	21	4	55	15
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 39,101	$ 50,757	$ 144,313	$ 144,150