The Jaw bones of snakes are very small and brittle bones, that are not made for striking into glass. The reason that they can stretch so large is not because the bone is elastic, but the ligaments that hold them together. The bones are actually four separate bones (two upper and two lower) and can be (and sounds like they are) broken. Because the bones are so small they will start to mend together quickly and if you wait too long, the vet will have to re-break them in order to set them right. If a snake has a broken jaw bone close to the connecting place of it’s adjoining bone, the two bones can become fussed as the broken bone attempts to heal. This will prevent the snake from being able to “dislocate” the two join bones and prevent him from feeding, eventually killing the snake through a long and painful starvation.
The vet should be able to x-ray the skull, locate and re-place into position the broken jaw bone. Once the Jaw bone is set into place (the vet can not place a cast on it, and trying to wire it shut can be difficult) the snake may have to be placed back into it’s cage with the bone just set into place to heal. For this you will need to cove the entire cage with newspaper, so the animal is not inclined to strike at the glass again. And just let the snake be for several weeks. In a month start feeding it very small meals (water should always be available and misting to increase humidity may be needed) once per 5-7 days. After several months with no ill effects, you should be able to start feeding the snake as normal.
But it is very important to get him to the vet ASAP to get him treated, print this out if you can not remember all the info, to show your vet. If your vet is not a strong Reptile/herp vet, he will need the info. Also ask what reference book he is using for herps (see post above with Nicole on that issue).
Good Luck
Jim Hopkins

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