The purpose of this investigation was to identify targets for the early diagnosis and predictors of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and the role of these targets in the formation of venous thrombosis. A model of DVT was constructed in rats. Thromboses and venous walls were sampled for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction study, and blood was sampled for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay studies. Vein endothelial cells were cultured to observe the effects of interleukin (IL)-17 on the expression of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA)/plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1). IL-17 monoclonal antibody was used to study its effect on preventing the formation of DVT. One-hundred and twenty hours after the animal model was constructed, significant DVT started to form. Polymerase chain reaction tests showed that immediately after the model was created, the expression of IL-17 increased greatly, whereas the balance between t-PA and PAI-1 was disrupted just before DVT formed. The increase of serum IL-17 was positively related with the formation of DVT. Thus, the application of IL-17 monoclonal antibody could reduce the formation of DVT in rats. IL-17 might be a target for the early diagnosis of DVT and should be further studied to assess its clinical value.