Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 192,135	$ 181,951	$ 187,794
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(30,718)	(29,126)	(4,502)
Unrealized gain on net investment hedge	1,894
Unrealized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($93), ($63) and $165 in 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively	(226)	(107)	279
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments:
Unrealized gain, net of tax expense of $3,736, $4,073 and $1,555 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively	8,839	9,542	3,781
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of tax expense of $5,853, $756 and $679 in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively	(13,983)	(2,002)	(1,890)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments	(5,143)	7,540	1,891
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(34,194)	(21,693)	(2,332)
Comprehensive income	157,941	160,258	185,462
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	57	45	(6)
Comprehensive income attributable to IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.	$ 157,884	$ 160,213	$ 185,468