To establish and evaluate for chemotherapeutic phlebitis rats induced by vinorelbine through dorsalis pedis vein. Methods The rats were randomly divided into the control and model group. Rats injected 0.1ml normal saline through the dorsalis pedis vein of the hind limb served as the control. While the rats in model group were injected with different concentrations of vinorelbine (2-5mg/ml) as above. General observation was performed and the hind limb volume was measured daily to calculate the swelling rate for 7 consecutive days. Then the rats were killed to collect the dorsalis pedis vein, and the histological changes were observed by HE staining. The microstructure changes on the surface of the vascular endometrium were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results Rats injected with 2-5 mg/ml vinorelbine via dorsalis pedis vein could significantly induce hind limb swelling. The swelling rate increased with increasing concentration, and the peak of each group is reached on 3rd day. On the 7th day, the phlebitis rate in the 2 mg/ml group was 50%, while in the 3 mg/ml group of 83.3%. The 4 mg/ml group and 5 mg/ml group were all sucessful with grade Ⅲ accounting for 66.7% and grade Ⅳ accounting for 83.3%, respectively. Histopathology showed inflammatory cell infiltration, wall thickening, lumen stenosis and thrombosis in the surrounding tissues of veins. Scanning electron microscopy also showed that the tight junction of venous endothelial cells were destroyed, and the surface of the vascular lining were rough that resulting in blood cells adhesion. Conclusion Rats injected with 0.1ml 3-5mg/ml vinorelbine through the dorsalis pedis vein could induce red, swollen and cord like veins in lesions. Inflammatory cells infiltration around the vein, thickened vein wall, lumen stenosis and thrombosis were seen. Also, the surface of the vein intima was rough and adhered to a large number of blood cells. All of those were consistent with clinical chemotherapeutic phlebitis in terms of symptoms and pathological structure.