Segment Reporting (Summary Of Segment Performance) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 383,523	$ 338,297	$ 1,133,848	$ 1,022,985
Income (loss) from operations	72,189	65,485	225,454	205,434
Interest expense, net	(3,981)	(1,007)	(8,761)	(2,132)
Income before provision for income taxes	68,208	64,478	216,693	203,302
Provision for income taxes	16,045	18,786	60,693	58,745
Net income	52,163	45,692	156,000	144,557
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	21	4	55	15
Net income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc. stockholders	52,142	45,688	155,945	144,542
Depreciation and amortization			43,610	41,130
Expenditures for long-lived assets			42,504	61,459
CAG Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	320,724	283,843	949,009	856,617
Income (loss) from operations	62,608	52,711	188,820	167,377
Water Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	25,747	23,247	71,655	66,297
Income (loss) from operations	11,367	10,414	29,547	28,682
LPD Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	29,648	25,131	93,738	81,448
Income (loss) from operations	3,886	1,125	17,669	9,176
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	7,404	6,076	19,446	18,623
Income (loss) from operations	794	612	1,134	1,888
Unallocated Amounts [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	$ (6,466)	$ 623	$ (11,716)	$ (1,689)