Acquisitions and Investments	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Investments	ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS We believe that our acquisitions of businesses and other assets enhance our existing businesses by either expanding our geographic range and customer base or expanding our existing product lines. During 2018, we acquired four reference laboratory customer lists in the United States for approximately $2.2 million and recorded all four transactions as asset acquisitions, with substantially all of the acquisition price valued as intangible assets. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition dates. In addition to the amount paid at time of purchase, these agreements include contingent payments of up to $0.3 million, that will be recorded upon payment. The acquisition expenses incurred were not material. During the fourth quarter of 2018, we invested $5 million for a noncontrolling minority interest in a technology company. This equity investment has been accounted for under the cost method of accounting. During the third quarter of 2018, we acquired substantially all of the assets of a software company for $25.0 million, including a holdback payment of $1.0 million, to offset possible pre-acquisition indemnity claims and a contingent payment of $1.5 million. The holdback payment, less settlement of any indemnity claims, will be paid on the second anniversary of the acquisition date, while the contingent payment will be paid within 36 months if certain commercial goals are achieved. This acquisition expands the IDEXX suite of veterinary software offerings and further underscores our commitment to investing in software innovations that advance the veterinary profession. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. The fair value estimate of the assets acquired consists of approximately $20.3 million of goodwill, representing synergies with our current software product offerings, approximately $2.6 million in technology intangible assets, approximately $2.4 million in customer relationship intangible assets, and approximately $0.3 million of net tangible liabilities. The valuation was finalized during the fourth quarter of 2018. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Pro forma information has not been presented for this acquisition because such information is not material to our financial statements. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. The acquisition expenses incurred were not material. During the third and fourth quarters of 2017, we acquired four reference laboratory customer lists in the United States for approximately $2.3 million and recorded these transactions as asset acquisitions, with a majority of the acquisition price valued as intangible assets. The results of operations for these reference laboratories have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition dates. In addition to the amount paid at time of purchase, additional contingent payments of approximately $0.3 million were paid in 2018. During the second quarter of 2017, we acquired the assets of two software companies that expand our suite of technology applications for the veterinary profession, specifically related to patient referral management and other connectivity needs between practices and other parties. The combined purchase price of $15.0 million consists of $12.0 million paid at closing and a $3.0 million contingent payment to be paid within 36 months if certain commercial goals are achieved. We finalized the valuation of the acquired assets in the third quarter of 2017. The fair value estimate of the assets acquired consists of $13.3 million of goodwill, representing synergies within our broader CAG portfolio, $1.0 million of customer relationship intangibles and $0.6 million of technology intangible assets. Goodwill related to these acquisitions is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The amount of net tangible assets acquired was immaterial. Pro forma information has not been presented for these acquisitions because such information is not material to our financial statements. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. During the first quarter of 2017, we acquired a reference laboratory in Austria for approximately €1.3 million, with the majority of the acquisition price valued as an intangible asset. The results of operations of this reference laboratory have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we paid an aggregate of $3.5 million in cash and amounts payable to acquire the assets of a veterinary reference laboratory testing business. We allocated the purchase price and recognized customer related amortizable intangible assets and goodwill. The fair value of the fixed assets acquired was immaterial. Goodwill is calculated as the consideration in excess of net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill recorded from the business acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. Pro forma information has not been presented for this business acquisition because such information is not material to the financial statements.

ACQUISITIONS AND INVESTMENTS

We believe that our acquisitions of businesses and other assets enhance our existing businesses by either expanding our geographic range and customer base or expanding our existing product lines.

During 2018, we acquired four reference laboratory customer lists in the United States for approximately $2.2 million and recorded all four transactions as asset acquisitions, with substantially all of the acquisition price valued as intangible assets. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition dates. In addition to the amount paid at time of purchase, these agreements include contingent payments of up to $0.3 million, that will be recorded upon payment. The acquisition expenses incurred were not material.

During the fourth quarter of 2018, we invested $5 million for a noncontrolling minority interest in a technology company. This equity investment has been accounted for under the cost method of accounting.

During the third quarter of 2018, we acquired substantially all of the assets of a software company for $25.0 million, including a holdback payment of $1.0 million, to offset possible pre-acquisition indemnity claims and a contingent payment of $1.5 million. The holdback payment, less settlement of any indemnity claims, will be paid on the second anniversary of the acquisition date, while the contingent payment will be paid within 36 months if certain commercial goals are achieved. This acquisition expands the IDEXX suite of veterinary software offerings and further underscores our commitment to investing in software innovations that advance the veterinary profession. This acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. The fair value estimate of the assets acquired consists of approximately $20.3 million of goodwill, representing synergies with our current software product offerings, approximately $2.6 million in technology intangible assets, approximately $2.4 million in customer relationship intangible assets, and approximately $0.3 million of net tangible liabilities. The valuation was finalized during the fourth quarter of 2018. The goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. Pro forma information has not been presented for this acquisition because such information is not material to our financial statements. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. The acquisition expenses incurred were not material.

During the third and fourth quarters of 2017, we acquired four reference laboratory customer lists in the United States for approximately $2.3 million and recorded these transactions as asset acquisitions, with a majority of the acquisition price valued as intangible assets. The results of operations for these reference laboratories have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition dates. In addition to the amount paid at time of purchase, additional contingent payments of approximately $0.3 million were paid in 2018.

During the second quarter of 2017, we acquired the assets of two software companies that expand our suite of technology applications for the veterinary profession, specifically related to patient referral management and other connectivity needs between practices and other parties. The combined purchase price of $15.0 million consists of $12.0 million paid at closing and a $3.0 million contingent payment to be paid within 36 months if certain commercial goals are achieved. We finalized the valuation of the acquired assets in the third quarter of 2017. The fair value estimate of the assets acquired consists of $13.3 million of goodwill, representing synergies within our broader CAG portfolio, $1.0 million of customer relationship intangibles and $0.6 million of technology intangible assets. Goodwill related to these acquisitions is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. The amount of net tangible assets acquired was immaterial. Pro forma information has not been presented for these acquisitions because such information is not material to our financial statements. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date.

During the first quarter of 2017, we acquired a reference laboratory in Austria for approximately €1.3 million, with the majority of the acquisition price valued as an intangible asset. The results of operations of this reference laboratory have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date.

During the year ended December 31, 2016, we paid an aggregate of $3.5 million in cash and amounts payable to acquire the assets of a veterinary reference laboratory testing business. We allocated the purchase price and recognized customer related amortizable intangible assets and goodwill. The fair value of the fixed assets acquired was immaterial. Goodwill is calculated as the consideration in excess of net assets recognized and represents the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired that could not be individually identified and separately recognized. The goodwill recorded from the business acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The results of operations have been included in our CAG segment since the acquisition date. Pro forma information has not been presented for this business acquisition because such information is not material to the financial statements.