Segment Reporting (Summary Of Revenue By Product And Service Category) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 466,569	$ 413,343	$ 884,119	$ 795,820
CAG Diagnostics Recurring Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	338,298	300,146	643,808	578,911
IDEXX Vetlab Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	114,561	100,743	222,520	199,135
IDEXX VetLab Service and Accessories [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	14,826	14,018	28,583	27,548
Rapid Assay Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	55,777	52,182	98,863	95,819
Reference Laboratory Diagnostic And Consulting Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	153,134	133,203	293,842	256,409
CAG Diagnostic Capital - Instruments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	32,520	24,064	55,494	44,178
Veterinary Software, Services and Diagnostic Imaging Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	29,405	27,410	58,560	53,062
CAG Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	400,223	351,620	757,862	676,151
Water Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	27,829	25,051	51,381	46,749
LPD Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	32,856	32,059	63,712	63,329
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 5,661	$ 4,613	$ 11,164	$ 9,591