Name:	idxx_AcquisitionsAndStrategicInvestmentsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	idxx_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Business Acquisition, Amortizable Intangible Assets, Expected Tax Deductible Amount

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	idxx_BusinessAcquisitionAmortizableIntangibleAssetsExpectedTaxDeductibleAmount
Namespace Prefix:	idxx_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Weighted average amortization period of finite-lived intangible assets acquired either individually or as part of a group of assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16265-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AcquiredFiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsWeightedAverageUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of currency on hand as well as demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, acquired at the acquisition date. Includes other kinds of accounts that have the general characteristics of demand deposits. Also includes short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCashAndEquivalents
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of liability arising from an inherited contingency (as defined) which has been recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=39739317&loc=d3e4845-128472

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 10

-Section 55

-Paragraph 37

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744172&loc=d3e2207-128464

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedContingentLiability
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets that are expected to be realized or consumed within one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedCurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of deferred tax liability attributable to taxable temporary differences due after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, assumed at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedDeferredTaxLiabilitiesNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of intangible assets, excluding goodwill, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwill
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of identifiable intangible assets recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedIntangibles
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of assets expected to be realized or consumed after one year or the normal operating cycle, if longer, acquired at the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedNoncurrentAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of property, plant, and equipment recognized as of the acquisition date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationRecognizedIdentifiableAssetsAcquiredAndLiabilitiesAssumedPropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the amount of net sales proceeds received on disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 35

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35687916&loc=d3e32847-111569

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentNetSalesProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Useful life of finite-lived intangible assets, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase in asset representing future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized resulting from a business combination.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35741047&loc=d3e13816-109267

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The number of businesses acquired by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of business during the period. The cash portion only of the acquisition price.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	idxx_AcquisitionOfBusinessesAndOtherAssetsAxis=idxx_AssetsOfCloudBasedVeterinaryPracticeSoftwareBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	idxx_AcquisitionOfBusinessesAndOtherAssetsAxis=idxx_AssetsOfVeterinaryReferenceLaboratoryTestingBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	idxx_AcquisitionOfBusinessesAndOtherAssetsAxis=idxx_CloudBasedVeterinaryPracticeSoftwareBusinessesForeignMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	idxx_AcquisitionOfBusinessesAndOtherAssetsAxis=idxx_CloudBasedVeterinaryPracticeSoftwareBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	idxx_AcquisitionOfBusinessesAndOtherAssetsAxis=idxx_VeterinaryReferenceLaboratoryTestingBusinessesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_ComputerSoftwareIntangibleAssetMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_CustomerListsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_NoncompeteAgreementsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_TrademarksMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Acquisitions And Disposition Of Strategic Investment (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014 item	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012 item
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired		$ 25,115,000	$ 10,923,000	$ 2,658,000
Number of businesses acquired		7us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired		3us-gaap_NumberOfBusinessesAcquired
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill			4,800,000
Business Combinations, goodwill		13,077,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod	6,741,000us-gaap_GoodwillAcquiredDuringPeriod
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets			9 years 10 months 24 days
Proceeds from sale of equity investment	5,400,000	(5,400,000)
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	11.00%
Gain on sale of equity investment	700,000
Cash payments to acquire businesses			10,800,000	3,600,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents			700,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets			1,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets			2,100,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Deferred Tax Liabilities Noncurrent			1,700,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Contingent Liability			3,100,000
Cloud-based Veterinary Practice Software Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired		18,700,000
Number of businesses acquired		3
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Other than Goodwill		11,700,000
Business Combinations, goodwill		12,400,000
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets		11 years 4 months 24 days
Amortizable intangible assets deductible for income tax purposes		5,600,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Contingent Liability		4,200,000
Assets Of Cloud-based Veterinary Practice Software Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired		2
Cloud-based Veterinary Practice Software Businesses, Foreign [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired		2
Veterinary Reference Laboratory Testing Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Acquisition of a business, net of cash acquired		6,200,000
Number of businesses acquired		2
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets		13 years 3 months 18 days
Amortizable intangible assets deductible for income tax purposes		4,900,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Contingent Liability		1,500,000
Assets Of Veterinary Reference Laboratory Testing Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired		2
Computer Software, Intangible Asset [Member] \| Cloud-based Veterinary Practice Software Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets		7 years
Customer Lists [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Useful life assigned to intangible asset, years			10 years
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets				10 years
Intangibles acquired as result of business combination				1,700,000
Customer Lists [Member] \| Cloud-based Veterinary Practice Software Businesses [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets		16 years 4 months 24 days
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Weighted average useful lives of amortizable intangible assets				8 years
Intangibles acquired as result of business combination				$ 700,000
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Useful life assigned to intangible asset, years			5 years
Trademarks [Member]
Acquisitions And Strategic Investments [Line Items]
Useful life assigned to intangible asset, years			15 years