giardia

If it were me, I surely wouldn't.  It IS an antibiotic but it also has clashes with some *other* antibiotics and it's similar to things like erythromycin.  They claim using it long term doesn't often cause resistance but you are running all the general risks of side effects.  It's generally kind of a last resort.

Tylan, despite Drs. Foster & Smith's contention, is VERY bitter.  It can put some dogs completely off their food and you often have to combine it with something else (which tends to be something often like peanut butter which, is *in itself* truly NOT good for the dog and dangerous to use long term)

Does this dog simply have irritable bowel?  My way would be to treat that (and yes, I **have** had a dog with that sad nasty problem and honestly, I battle it *myself*). 

Dogs can develop gastro bacteria and parasites for many, many reasons.  Drinking from a puddle, wildlife poop (just try keeping racoon or possum poop out of MY yard?  it's impossible and the dogs consider it a wonderful delicacy)

But Tylan wouldn't do a thing for giardia I don't think.  clostridium, yes, but not giardia (which is a more serious parasite)

This is one of those places where I've found TCVM to work wonders.  (Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine)  Between the food suggestions, acupuncture and herbs it has completely resolved the issue with Kee that we've battled since we've had her. 

If you are not familiar with acupuncture, I am *not* talking about them sticking needles in her butt -- and, in fact, acupuncture is NOT painful and the herbs are EZ and with no side effects.  The ones Kee takes (and me often as well) are "tea pills" (they look like little black BBs -- which makes them easy to dose so a small dog doesn't get over-dosed - it's just so many/pound)

Have you tried a probiotic (or more than one type)?  Don't give the same one long term -- you do have to switch them off periodically (and it's a good thing to give a break from them occasionally).  But even something easy like Digestive Advantage (IBS) that you can get right at the grocery store or pharmacy might be easy for you.

Giardia is always a big problem to pet owners when it comes again and again. I as a veterinarian tried to write a complete guide for giardiasis in dogs, you may take a look at it and give it a read. That will surely help you. 

I believe that with getting intestinal infections chronically, supporting by good pre- and probiotic should help keeping bad bugs in check. Ironically, antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria too, so particularly after antibiotic treatment getting the equilibrium back is even more important than any other time.

You might also want to take another look at the food she's on, her immune function and thyroid function.

Coconut oil helps make gut tissue stronger and healthier and has some microbial activity as well.

With any chronic problem, the main thing is to figure out the cause.