My older dog Bear would hack like a smoker too. The vet told me his trachea was collapsing. I tried giving him Tussigon but it really didn't help much. He really wasn't in any pain so I stopped using it. As long as he didn't get excited or try to bark a lot, he was OK. There really isn't much that can help at that age. Bear was 14 when he had three heart attacks in a row and went to the Bridge. He had always had an enlarged heart and his diabetes strained it further.

Children's cough syrup can't hurt if you don't overdo it. But it isn't a cure. It will mostly make YOU feel better.