Segment Reporting (Summary Of Revenue By Product And Service Category) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 442,996	$ 448,308	$ 466,569	$ 417,550	$ 399,685	$ 406,387	$ 413,343	$ 382,477	$ 1,775,423	$ 1,601,892	$ 1,485,807
Rapid Assay Products [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									189,122	182,670	165,647
CAG Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,522,689	1,356,287	1,223,064
CAG Segment [Member] | CAG Diagnostics Recurring Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									1,281,262	1,147,026	1,039,252
CAG Segment [Member] | IDEXX Vetlab Consumables [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									451,456	396,526	341,407
CAG Segment [Member] | Reference Laboratory Diagnostic And Consulting Services [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									581,067	512,155	479,192
CAG Segment [Member] | CAG Diagnostics Service And Accessories [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									59,617	55,675	53,006
CAG Segment [Member] | CAG Diagnostic Capital - Instruments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									121,191	98,502	79,993
CAG Segment [Member] | Veterinary Software, Services And Diagnostic Imaging Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									120,236	110,759	103,819
Water Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									103,579	96,884	94,725
LPD Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									126,491	127,143	141,179
Other Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue									$ 22,664	$ 21,578	$ 26,839