>1. Do ferrets need to be groomed (i.e. brushed) on a regular basis?
 
No.  At least we don't.  If they start to smell musty have the ears cleaned.
Bathing about every 3 weeks is permissible but we've found they smell far
less if we don't frequently bathe them.  Keep the cage clean and they will
keep themselves clean.  Get a copy of the Ferret FAQ and you will have all
the answers you need to know.
 
>2. I know that in litter training cats, it is sometimes helpful to put a
>drop or two of ammonia on the bottom of the litter pan... Does the same
>thing work for ferrets?
 
I've never used ammonia in this way and would nervous about doing so.  If
you expect to have anything close to 100% litter box training I suggest that
a ferret may not be right for you.  We have five; they are 99% trained while
caged and about 5% trained when let out!  i.e. You _WILL_ be cleaning up
after them when they run free and excercise.  They will need to run free and
excercise for at least a couple of hours each day.  We clean the litter
trays both morning and evening.  If we don't then we get problems as they
don't like to go in a "full" corner.
 
>3. ... how crucial are distemper and/or rabies vaccinations?
 
Both are highly recommended.  Distemper is 100% fatal (or very close to it)
in ferrets and its a miserable way to go.  Rabies vaccination, while very
low risk of contracting it, will be your ferrets only hope of protection on
that one occasion when someone gets scratched or nipped.  Don't take the
chance.  If it helps, think of rabies vaccination as relatively cheap life
insurance for a friend :)
 
- The above statements are just personal opinions of an owner and come with
all the usual caveats.
[Posted in FML issue 1558]