Maximum consolidated leverage ratio permitted under debt agreements.

No definition available.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Period of time between issuance and maturity of debt instrument, in PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Amount of the hedged item as of the balance sheet date related to the derivative. For example, the hedged balance on a debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The maximum amount of borrowing capacity under a line of credit that is available as of the balance sheet date for a specific purpose other than for financing goods acquired for inventory or imminent delivery to a customer.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Date the credit facility terminates, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fee, expressed as a percentage of the line of credit facility, for available but unused credit capacity under the credit facility.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the current portion of long-term obligations drawn from a line of credit, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Examples of items that might be included in the application of this element may consist of letters of credit, standby letters of credit, and revolving credit arrangements, under which borrowings can be made up to a maximum amount as of any point in time conditional on satisfaction of specified terms before, as of and after the date of drawdowns on the line. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which (a) postbalance sheet date issuance of a long term obligation to refinance the short term obligation on a long term basis, or (b) the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.20)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Line-of-Credit Arrangement

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6517033

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount of long-term debt, net of unamortized discount or premium, including current and noncurrent amounts. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 7

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 16

-Article 9

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

+ Details

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

- Definition

The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Including the current and noncurrent portions, aggregate carrying amount of all types of notes payable, as of the balance sheet date, with initial maturities beyond one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 19, 20, 22

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 944

-SubTopic 210

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13, 16

-Article 9

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=idxx_AmendedAndRestatedUnsecuredShortTermRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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- Details

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Data Type:	na
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Period Type:

- Details

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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=idxx_MinimumCreditSpreadOnLiborOrCdorBorrowingsMember
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Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=idxx_OutdatedUnsecuredShortTermRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
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Data Type:	na
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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
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- Details

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Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
Debt (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 26, 2011	May 09, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Outstanding Credit Facility balance	$ 549,000,000us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent	$ 549,000,000us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent	$ 277,000,000us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent
Credit Facility weighted average interest rates on outstanding balance	1.50%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate	1.50%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate	1.60%us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Reduction of Credit Facility Availability	1,000,000	1,000,000	1,000,000
Credit Facility borrowings hedged	80,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem	80,000,000us-gaap_DerivativeAmountOfHedgedItem
Consolidated Leverage Ratio Under Credit Facility & Note Payable, maximum	3.5
Long-term Debt	350,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt	350,000,000us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Fair value of mortgage at inception	367,300,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue	367,300,000us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue
Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees	0.35%
Minimum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Commitment fees	0.15%
Outdated Unsecured Short Term Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity				450,000,000
Amended And Restated Unsecured Short Term Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Borrowing capacity					700,000,000
Credit Facility maturity date	Jun. 18, 2019
Minimum Credit Spread On LIBOR Or CDOR Borrowings [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit spread during period	0.875%
Maximum Credit Spread On LIBOR Or CDOR Borrowings [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit spread during period	1.375%
Maximum Credit Spread On Prime Rate Borrowings [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Credit spread during period	0.375%
Senior Notes [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Consolidated Leverage Ratio Under Credit Facility & Note Payable, maximum	3.50
Notes Payable			150,000,000			75,000,000	125,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage						3.72%
Series A Senior Note [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Notes Payable	75,000,000	75,000,000	75,000,000				50,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.25%	3.25%	3.94%				3.32%
Debt Instrument, Term		7 years
Series B Senior Note [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Notes Payable	75,000,000	75,000,000	75,000,000				75,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.72%	3.72%	4.04%				3.76%
Debt Instrument, Term		12 years
Uncommitted Shelf Facility [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Notes Payable	$ 50,000,000	$ 50,000,000
Uncommitted Shelf Facility [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Term		15 years